In a stunning twist that even lifelong Wisconsin hoops fans couldn’t have predicted a few years ago, Kon Knueppel — the former Milwaukee Lutheran standout who once idolized the red and white of the Badgers — has officially been selected No. 4 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. The buzz in Charlotte is real, and it’s electrifying.
From the heart of the Midwest to the Queen City in North Carolina, Knueppel’s journey has defied expectations, disrupted scouting boards, and rewritten the narrative for modern wings with an old-school soul. Known for his silky shooting stroke, relentless motor, and cerebral approach to the game, Knueppel is being hailed as one of the most polished scorers in this year’s class. And Hornets fans? They’re already dreaming big.
From Badger Nation to Blue Devil Stardom
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kon Knueppel was basketball royalty before he ever laced up a pair of sneakers at the high school level. His father, Kon Knueppel Sr., was a standout at Wisconsin Lutheran College. His mother, Kelly, was also a college athlete. Kon Jr. grew up soaking in the game, following the Wisconsin Badgers closely and even dreaming of one day playing at the Kohl Center.
But by the time Knueppel reached his junior year of high school, it was clear his path was destined for a national spotlight. A sharpshooter with a 6-foot-6 frame and near-unrivaled court vision, Knueppel became a recruiting magnet. Bluebloods came calling. Wisconsin tried. But ultimately, Knueppel committed to Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils, where he flourished in the cauldron of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
During his lone season at Duke, Knueppel was everything scouts had hoped for — and more. He averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, shooting a jaw-dropping 44% from beyond the arc. Despite sharing the spotlight with fellow NBA prospect Cooper Flagg, Knueppel’s mature game and clutch DNA consistently stood out.
The Rise to No. 4: How Knueppel Became a Lottery Lock
Heading into the college season, Kon Knueppel was seen as a mid-to-late first-round prospect. But game after game, his stock rose. What started as whispers in scouting rooms soon turned into roars on draft boards. The Hornets, who had been searching for a perimeter player with high basketball IQ, leadership, and a reliable jumper, saw their man.
What separated Knueppel from other wings in this class was consistency. He didn’t need volume to make an impact. He was effective with and without the ball. He was a secondary playmaker. And he defended well enough to stay on the floor in high-leverage moments.
Here’s what one NBA executive said after Knueppel’s pre-draft workout with the Hornets:
“This kid knows how to play. The footwork, the passing angles, the off-ball movement — he’s a coach’s dream. He doesn’t just play the game. He thinks it.”
And so, on draft night, when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stepped to the podium and said:
“With the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select… Kon Knueppel, from Duke University.”
— Hornets fans went from cautious to ecstatic in an instant.
Why the Hornets Believe He’s a Franchise Cornerstone
For a franchise long in search of stability and identity, Knueppel represents more than just a player. He’s a culture-changer.
With LaMelo Ball running the point and Brandon Miller developing into a legitimate scoring wing, Charlotte’s front office believed they needed a complementary piece — someone who didn’t need the ball constantly, someone who could stretch the floor, make smart plays, and elevate the collective IQ of the team.
Enter Kon Knueppel.
He shot nearly 50/40/90 at Duke, moved without the ball like a veteran, and consistently found ways to impact games without dominating touches. He’s been compared to Joe Ingles with a tighter handle, Kyle Korver with better passing instincts, and even Gordon Hayward with more toughness. Ironically, the Hornets once relied on Hayward as a veteran presence. Now they may have drafted his modern evolution.
High IQ, Low Ego — A Coach’s Dream
Charlotte’s new head coach, Darvin Ham, didn’t mince words when asked about Knueppel’s arrival:
“We want smart, tough, unselfish players. Kon is all of those things. He doesn’t care about flash. He wants to win. He makes others better.”
That attitude has endeared Knueppel to coaches at every level — from his time in the EYBL circuit to his brief but brilliant stint at Duke. It’s also a big reason why the Hornets see him as a foundational piece, someone they can plug into nearly any lineup combination and feel confident he’ll make the right play.
Knueppel’s basketball IQ is so high that some scouts believe he could transition into a point-forward role over time. His feel for the game is reminiscent of Luka Dončić — though without the ball-dominant style — and his maturity is off the charts.
Buzz City Believes — Reaction from Hornets Nation
Let’s just say the reaction from Charlotte fans has been overwhelmingly positive. On social media, Hornets Nation lit up with reactions like:
“We got our Manu Ginóbili!”
“Kon Knueppel is going to be the glue guy we’ve been dreaming of.”
“Finally — a pick that makes sense! Smart, tough, and ready to contribute from Day 1.”
Within 12 hours of the draft, Knueppel’s Hornets jersey became the No. 1 selling rookie jersey on NBA.com. Fans lined up outside the Spectrum Center to get their first glimpse of the new face of Charlotte basketball. And the franchise — still rebuilding its image after years of instability — is now being mentioned in the same breath as up-and-coming success stories like Oklahoma City and Orlando.
️ What’s Next for Knueppel?
For Kon Knueppel, the work is just beginning.
He’s already in Charlotte, preparing for Summer League with an eye toward being a rotational player — or even starter — by the time the NBA season tips off this fall. He’s been described as “NBA-ready” by multiple analysts, and his ability to play both the two and three will give Coach Ham flexibility.
There are, of course, areas for growth. Knueppel will need to prove he can defend high-level wings consistently, adapt to the speed of the NBA game, and maintain efficiency with fewer possessions. But based on every step of his journey so far, it’s hard to doubt him.
Kon Speaks: His Emotional Reaction to Draft Night
After hearing his name called, Knueppel sat down with ESPN’s Malika Andrews for a teary-eyed interview.
“Growing up in Wisconsin, I dreamed of moments like this. I was a Badger fan. I never imagined I’d be wearing teal in Charlotte — but man, it feels right. I’m ready to give everything to this city and this team.”
When asked what message he had for Hornets fans, he smiled and said:
“I’m not flashy. I’m not gonna dance around. I’m gonna hoop. That’s what I do. Let’s build something special — together.”
Final Buzz: Charlotte’s Future Just Got Brighter
The Charlotte Hornets have had their share of misses in past drafts. But this year, they may have hit gold with Kon Knueppel.
He’s not just a sharpshooter. He’s a connector. A competitor. A culture-builder. And while it may be too early to project All-Star appearances, it’s not too early to say this: the Hornets are better today than they were yesterday — and Knueppel is a big reason why.
