The Charlotte Hornets picked Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Though limited in athleticism, Knueppel is a good shooter who can help the Hornets, who struggled offensively last season, finishing with just 19 wins.
Despite being selected for a team with a low chance of being an immediate title contender, Knueppel believes that being chosen by the Hornets feels like destiny due to several connections.
Kon Knueppel Shares Thoughts on Being Drafted by Charlotte
Taylor Rooks recently interviewed Knueppel for Bleacher Report, telling him that he is living a North Carolina storybook life. She pointed out that he went to Duke University, which is in North Carolina.
Rooks said that journey looked destined, and Knueppel concurred. “Yeah, it’s definitely really, really cool,” he said. “You know, being in a spot you’re kind of familiar with. Having a teammate from last year in Sion James is also really special.
“And then, coincidentally, my little brothers had a tournament in Rock Hill, South Carolina, which is like 35 minutes from Charlotte, and they were flying to Charlotte after the draft anyway for a tournament,” Knueppel said. “So we got to fly together. So, that was really cool.”
Being selected as the top pick in the NBA draft is a significant achievement. While it was obviously special for Knueppel, he emphasized that his success resulted from his parents’ and brothers’ involvement in supporting his journey.
The Hornets’ rookie noted that his brothers were in the gym with him daily, and his parents were constantly helping. As such, he felt more joy, sharing the moment with his family, who were present at Barclays Center.
How Will Knueppel Complement LaMelo Ball’s Playing Style?
Despite their lackluster recent outings, the Hornets offered Knueppel the opportunity to play with LaMelo Ball, the team’s star player. The 23-year-old point guard, selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, is a dynamic playmaker with scoring ability. His popularity among fans has made him the face of the franchise.
In the interview, Rooks asked Knueppel how he feels about Ball’s skill set and how he can complement the All-Star guard’s game.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously LaMelo is a super, super talented player,” Knueppel said. “His ability to create shots for himself off the dribble. I’ve always admired his passing, especially the creativity he passes with, and he seems like he’s a step ahead of the defense.
“So just being able to space the floor for him, get open, give him some space to create, but also be a guy that he can trust getting the ball to, and also a guy that’s going to be looking for him all the time,” he added.
Knueppel’s elite shooting and high feel make him an ideal secondary playmaker who can thrive in a complementary role to Ball, a ball-dominant player.
Knueppel’s athletic and defensive concerns might limit his potential to become a superstar. However, his efficient scoring and secondary playmaking will likely make him a valuable starter or role player with a long NBA career.
