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Jon Scheyer Sends Strong Message to Kon Knueppel After NBA Draft Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 2:32 PM ET

Duke's 2024-25 college basketball roster featured some of the nation's best freshman talent, including standout first-year guard Kon Knueppel.

Knueppel, a Wisconsin native, joined Jon Scheyer's Duke program as the No. 18 ranked recruit in the 2024-25 class. The former five-star recruit more than lived up to the expectations set in front of him, averaging 14.4 points per game on 40.6% shooting from behind the three-point arc in his freshman campaign.

Knueppel earned All-ACC second team honors after helping the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament championship victory. He finished the year as Duke's second-leading scorer, trailing only National Player of the Year and projected No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg.

On Wednesday, Knueppel announced his decision to enter the 2025 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

"Forever a Blue Devil. Taking the Brotherhood with me to the next chapter," Knueppel wrote in a social media post.

Forever a Blue Devil. Taking the Brotherhood with me to the next chapter. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/bE09xX1Dzo
— Kon II Knueppel (@Kon2Knueppel) April 16, 2025

Scheyer shared a heartfelt farewell message to Knueppel on social media.

"Loved having Kon in our program," Scheyer said in a video message. "So proud of him and what he did this season. He's a guy that's really about competition. He never shied away from the competitive plays that have to be made in order to win at a high level. As a freshman, Kon understood that. He played both sides of the ball — he had big scoring games and shooting games for us... The separator is anytime there's a loose ball, Kon Knueppel's putting his body on the line to come up with it.

"... For him to be ACC Tournament MVP and just really help carry us in that tournament and led us to a championship. Throughout the entire season, his consistency, his dependability and his competitiveness was a joy to coach. I love the growth that he made. I can't wait to see what he's going to do at the next level with a long, successful NBA career."

Competitor. Winner. Bucket-getter. Playmaker. @Kon2Knueppel did it all for us.

️ @JonScheyer pic.twitter.com/umpfWI8Yeo
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) April 16, 2025

League next. Duke forever.

Thank you, @Kon2Knueppel! pic.twitter.com/wE2cBYNshg
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) April 16, 2025

Knueppel is widely expected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. ESPN's NBA draft projections currently have him ranked No. 8 in this year's class.

The 2025 NBA draft will take place on June 25.

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

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