Did Kon Knueppel Just Get Humbled by a Fellow Blue Devil? Filipowski Shines, Knueppel Struggles — This Is Unbelievable!
The NBA Summer League is supposed to be a launching pad — a place where rookies flash their potential and begin their professional stories with excitement. But for Kon Knueppel, the highly-touted Duke product selected No. 4 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft, his debut felt more like a hard dose of basketball reality. And ironically, that reality check came from a familiar face — another Blue Devil.
Facing off against the Utah Jazz, Knueppel struggled to find his footing in a game that was supposed to showcase his skillset. He scored just five points on 1-for-8 shooting, missed all five of his 3-point attempts, and committed four turnovers. And just when things seemed like they couldn’t get worse, he had his shot emphatically rejected — by none other than Kyle Filipowski, a fellow Duke alum.
Yes, Filipowski — who played at Duke from 2022 to 2024 and was drafted by the Jazz in 2024 — delivered the kind of performance every rookie dreams of. He dropped 32 points, hitting 12-of-17 shots, while adding six rebounds and five assists in a dominant effort that made him look like the most polished player on the floor.
The contrast couldn’t have been starker: One former Blue Devil flying high, the other trying to regain his balance.
A Humbling Welcome to the NBA
Knueppel’s “Welcome to the NBA” moment was raw and real. On a drive to the basket, using his off-hand to protect the ball, he tried to float one past Filipowski — only to be met by a towering rejection. It was a moment that lit up social media and had fans asking: Did Knueppel just get humbled by his own Duke brother?
Even though Filipowski and Knueppel never played together at Duke, they represent two generations of Jon Scheyer’s modern recruiting pipeline — and two very different Summer League stories. While Knueppel’s rough night raised some early eyebrows, Filipowski’s breakout game confirmed the Jazz may have found a hidden gem with superstar upside.
But It’s Not All Bad News
Despite Knueppel’s individual struggles, the Hornets still won the game, beating the Jazz 111-105. Rookie standout Liam McNeeley — a former UConn Husky — carried the load with 22 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, giving Charlotte something to smile about.
And let’s not forget: it’s just one game. Many NBA greats have had slow Summer League starts, only to find their rhythm and blossom in the months that follow. Knueppel’s mechanics, size, and basketball IQ are still elite, and the Hornets aren’t likely to hit the panic button after just 24 minutes of action.
Brotherhood on Display — Even in Battle
There’s something poetic about two Duke products meeting on an NBA stage and going at it — even if one gets the upper hand. That moment, that block, and that narrative… it adds to the rich tradition of Duke basketball producing not just stars, but stories.
Whether Knueppel bounces back stronger in the next outing or Filipowski continues his NBA ascent, one thing is certain: The Brotherhood runs deep, but there are no free passes in the league.
Knueppel and the Hornets face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas — a prime chance for the rookie to silence the doubters and flip the script.
And you better believe Duke fans — and the entire basketball world — will be watching.
