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Kon Knueppel and the Duke Blue Devils were one of the best college basketball programs during the 2024-25 season. Yet their season fell short after falling to the Houston Cougars in the Final Four.
In his lone season at Duke, Knueppel became a star playing alongside All-American forward Cooper Flagg, averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Knueppel even led the Blue Devils to a conference championship with Flagg sidelined due to an injury, winning ACC Tournament MVP honors.
Now, Knueppel will be taking his talents to the NBA, declaring for the 2025 draft. Since performing at the draft combine in May, Knueppel has seen his stock rise, with some mocks placing him in the top ten.
However, it appears Knueppel could be an even higher selection come June's draft.
According to Hoops HQ's Krysten Peek , some teams with a top-five draft pick, including the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets, "are showing interest" in taking the Wisconsin native.
"Teams like the Utah Jazz (No. 5 pick) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) are showing interest in the versatile guard and like his ability to seamlessly slide in alongside a star, ball-dominant player like Flagg and still find ways to positively impact the game," Peek wrote.
The Hornets and Jazz are showing interest in drafting Kon Knueppel within the top 5, per @krystenpeek
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 4, 2025
"Teams like the Utah Jazz (No. 5) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) are showing interest in the versatile guard (Kon Knueppel) and like his ability to seamlessly slide in alongside… pic.twitter.com/2WZI0xQZDh
If Knueppel were drafted by the Jazz, he could potentially start right away. With no established superstars on the roster, he’d have an opportunity to shine on a team that finished with the NBA’s worst record last season.
The Hornets, on the other hand, would offer Knueppel a different situation, teaming up with star point guard LaMelo Ball, who, like Flagg, is a ball-dominant player.
The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft will take place on Wednesday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The second round will be the following night at the same time.
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Milwaukee Brewers will be without Isaac Collins over weekend series
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Former crew chief frustrated by the 'ridiculous' racing at Watkins Glen
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