Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel is making waves as a top contender for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His shooting prowess is turning heads across the league, as he recently set a record by becoming the fastest player in NBA history to hit 200 three-pointers, achieving this milestone in just 58 games. Knueppel is also on track to become the first rookie ever to achieve the elusive 50/40/90 shooting season, a testament to his exceptional skill and precision.
In a recent game at the United Center, Knueppel's laid-back demeanor was evident as he joked with teammates during a 3-point shooting drill. Despite his rising star status, he remains focused on the game, even after being spotlighted at the NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. There, he showcased his talent in the 3-point contest, becoming just the fifth rookie to participate since 2016, and engaged in various events like the technology summit and the rising stars games.
Reflecting on his All-Star experience, Knueppel said, “The 3-point contest was the thing I was most pumped to do, so to get that invite was pretty cool. Obviously, I wish the second round would have gone a little better, but that was fun.”
Knueppel's approach to his rookie season is straightforward: he's here to make an impact. Selected fourth overall from Duke University, he’s already proving his worth. In a recent victory over the Bulls, Knueppel’s performance included going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, further solidifying his record-breaking pace.
With his sights set on surpassing Keegan Murray’s rookie record for made threes in a season (206), Knueppel is also among the fastest in league history to reach 1,000 career points, joining a prestigious group of young talents like Paolo Banchero and Zion Williamson.
Knueppel is edging closer to joining the elite 50/40/90 club-a rare feat achieved by only nine players in NBA history, with Stephen Curry being the only one to do so while attempting over 400 three-pointers. This level of shooting excellence, coupled with the Hornets’ push for their first postseason appearance since 2021-22, has made Knueppel a standout candidate for Rookie of the Year.
“It’s one of those things where you’re trying to separate from it a little bit and really focus on the things we need to do to win games,” Knueppel shared. “All that stuff is fine and cool, but I try to stay off my phone and don’t really pay attention to it. It’s just fun to now be able to compete and play meaningful basketball down the stretch.”
At just 20 years old, Knueppel is averaging 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, continuously setting new records for first-year players. He’s already established rookie records for games with five or more 3-pointers and consecutive games with multiple made 3-pointers.
While he's not actively campaigning for the award, Knueppel acknowledges his place in the conversation. “Too much of that, or reading too much of it, could be poisonous for you,” he said.
“But yeah, I mean, I definitely believe a lot of things about myself. I believe in my ability to go out and contribute to winning and play at a high level.
And those are the things you need in this league, to be confident in your abilities but also have the humility to know there’s a lot of things you need to work on and get better at.”
Knueppel’s humility and drive are evident as he continues to make his mark in the NBA, proving that his rookie season is just the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career.