Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel continues to draw national attention. More recently, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst compared the sharpshooting guard to Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry during a recent episode of “NBA Countdown.”
Brian Windhorst Compares Kon Knueppel to Stephen Curry
The Hornets’ official X account shared the video on Wednesday featuring Windhorst’s comments as league discussion around Knueppel’s breakout rookie season continues to grow.
“When Kon Knueppel came into the league, I had some people I really trust compare him to Klay Thompson,” Windhorst said. “I’ve been watching him recently; they might have the wrong Splash Brother. He is like Steph, and you can’t catch him. One of the great things he does is move without the ball, repassing, relocating. If you don’t know about Kon Knueppel, watch the way he impacts a game.”
Windhorst’s remarks centered less on Knueppel’s raw scoring totals and more on the way he creates offense.
The comparison to Curry focused on off-ball movement, constant relocation, and the ability to punish defenses without needing to dominate the ball. Those traits have been a defining part of Curry’s career and are increasingly visible in Knueppel’s game.
Windhorst also pointed to Knueppel’s 3-point shooting efficiency, noting how closely it mirrors Curry’s production during his rookie season. Through 42 games, Knueppel is shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc. Curry shot 43.7% from 3-point range during his rookie campaign with Golden State.
Knueppel was selected fourth overall by the Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft after a standout collegiate career at Duke. He emerged as one of the top shooters in college basketball and played a key role in leading the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance.
That shooting has translated immediately to the NBA level. Knueppel has already made 143 3-pointers, the most by any player through their first 42 games in league history.
At his current rate, Knueppel is on pace to surpass the NBA rookie record for made 3-pointers, which stands at 206. With roughly half the season remaining, the mark appears well within reach if he maintains his health and shooting consistency.
Knueppel is averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night. He is shooting 48.8% from the field and continues to rank among the league’s most efficient perimeter scorers. His player efficiency rating of 16.8 reflects a strong overall impact for a first-year player.
Knuppel Occupies Top Spot in NBA’s Rookie Ladder
Despite Knueppel’s emergence, the Hornets have struggled to find consistent success. Charlotte sits at 16-27 and 12th in the Eastern Conference. The team is 5-5 over its last 10 games as it continues to lean heavily on its young core.
Even so, Knueppel’s individual performance has placed him firmly at the center of the Rookie of the Year race. He recently edged Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg for the No. 1 spot on the NBA’s Rookie Ladder. Knueppel and Flagg have occupied the top two positions in the weekly rankings for most of the season.
The comparison to Curry comes with obvious caution. Curry is a 17-year veteran, a two-time MVP, four-time NBA champion, and one of the most influential players in NBA history.
Still, Windhorst’s comments reflect the growing belief around the league that Knueppel’s shooting gravity and off-ball instincts are rare for a player so early in his career.
