Brother of Duke Basketball Star Gets Massive Recruiting Bump

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mathey Gibson | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 12:26 PM ET

Kinston Knueppel might not have a national spotlight just yet, but that could be changing fast.

The younger brother of Duke standout and projected first-round pick Kon Knueppel, Kinston is beginning to generate major buzz in his own right.

The 6-foot-5 wing from Wisconsin Lutheran made On3 Sports’ initial “Prospects to Watch” list for the Class of 2028, a promising indicator of what could come.

He also suits up for Team Herro on the AAU circuit, a program known for developing big-time scorers and smart guards.

The Knueppel family has built a strong basketball foundation, and that culture is now spreading beyond just one high-major recruit.

Kinston, who is just 16, is still early in his development, but the same patience, skill and IQ that helped his older brother reach Durham is starting to show.

Swish N’ Dish Top Performer 2028 Kinston Knueppel of Team Herro #SwishNDish pic.twitter.com/0qoxoAsFTf
— NY2LA SPORTS (@ny2lasports) April 5, 2025

That work ethic was on full display during Final Four weekend this spring, when the Knueppel family split time between Kon's national semifinal run with Duke and the AAU opening weekend for both Kager (17) and Kinston.

The family grind hasn’t slowed.

Kinston’s rise is part of a larger trend. Top programs are now tracking younger siblings of current or recent college stars, knowing the talent — and sometimes the name — carries weight.

While Cooper Flagg heads to the NBA, his brother Ace is charting his own path at the University of Maine.

As for Kinston, the future is still unwritten. But if his trajectory is anything like his brother’s, don’t be surprised if college programs — possibly even Duke again — come calling soon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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