In a dazzling display of sharpshooting, Kon Knueppel has etched his name into NBA history. The Charlotte Hornets guard, fresh out of Duke and the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft, has shattered the rookie record for three-pointers, previously held by Sacramento Kings' Keegan Murray. Knueppel's remarkable achievement came during a commanding 133-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers, where he drained eight shots from beyond the arc, taking his season total to an impressive 209.
Keegan Murray's record, set during his breakout 2022-23 season with the Kings, was a milestone that helped propel Sacramento to its first playoff berth since 2006. Murray had surpassed the marks set by Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell, who made 185 and 187 threes, respectively, in their rookie seasons.
Knueppel's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. He's not just a one-trick pony; averaging 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, he's shooting a blistering 48.9% from the field and an impressive 43.6% from downtown. These numbers put him in the thick of the Rookie of the Year conversation, where he's neck and neck with his former college teammate, Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the No. 1 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, is also having an outstanding rookie year, posting averages of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. While Flagg's shooting from beyond the arc sits at 30.2%, his overall field goal percentage is a solid 48.2%.
As the season progresses, the race for Rookie of the Year is heating up, with Knueppel and Flagg both making compelling cases. Knueppel's record-breaking prowess from three-point range adds an electrifying chapter to his rookie narrative, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting finish to the season.