Charlotte, NC / Las Vegas (July 2025) — Duke standout Kon Knueppel accomplished something remarkable before stepping foot in an NBA regular‑season game: he led the Charlotte Hornets to their first-ever NBA Summer League championship.
Selected fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Hornets out of Duke University, Knueppel delivered a masterful performance in Las Vegas, culminating in an 83–78 victory over the Sacramento Kings. He paced Charlotte with 21 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing two assists, and earned MVP honors in the title game. His late 3-pointer with just over 30 seconds left helped seal the win.
Charlotte entered the final with a perfect 6–0 record, a dominant run fueled by balanced scoring from rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner (15 points, 9 boards) and three other emerging contributors each scoring 11 points. Sacramento, despite trailing 36–18 early, mounted a furious comeback to pull within one possession late—but Knueppel’s clutch composure and the Hornets’ discipline at the free‑throw line ultimately prevailed.
Before even hitting the regular-season hardwood, Knueppel had already etched his name in franchise history. The Hornets—long leaders in poor draft decisions and inconsistent results—appear to have turned a corner. Alongside UConn’s Liam McNeeley and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Knueppel is part of a youthful core that could reshape Charlotte’s future. His addition aligns with the front office’s shift toward high-IQ, versatile players who fit team dynamics.
At Duke, Knueppel flourished in his lone collegiate season, averaging 14.4 points, shooting 47.9% overall, 40.6% from three, and 91.4% from the free‑throw line. He earned ACC Tournament MVP after leading Duke to the conference title and was named to both the Second-team All‑ACC and the ACC All‑Freshman Team.
The Hornets’ executive vice president of basketball operations, Jeff Peterson, emphasized that while comparisons to Cooper Flagg swirl, what stood out most in drafting Knueppel was his elite shooting. “We got the better shooter,” Peterson noted at his introductory press conference.
Knueppel echoed this confidence, saying he feels he fits naturally into Charlotte’s system alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. “I think I’ll be effective playing off the ball, spacing the floor, and moving with them,” he said.
With the Hornets having finished the 2024–25 NBA season near the bottom of league offensive efficiency, Knueppel offers a clear remedy—floor spacing, high IQ, and composure. While critics question his elite athleticism, it’s his reliability and team‑first attitude that made him a franchise favorite even before his first NBA game. As one recent rankings article put it, he’s the “top rookie” from this summer’s Las Vegas proceedings.
As the Hornets pivot toward a future built on emerging talent, Knueppel’s summer run gives fans hope: a new blueprint built on poise, shooting, and winning habits—before the NBA regular
season even begins.
