Bill Simmons ‘guarantees’ Charlotte Hornets player will make 2028 USA Olympics team, it’s not LaMelo Ball

Bill Simmons on why Kon Knueppel is a guaranteed player for Team USA in 2028

In recent times, LaMelo Ball has served as the cornerstone superstar for the Hornets in the NBA. However, due to Ball’s recurring injuries, he has hardly led them to any major success.

As a result, the Hornets entered the 2025 NBA Draft with the No. 4 overall pick. The organization used it to select Kon Knueppel, adding another phenomenal prospect to their young core.

Coming to Simmons’ point, the veteran sports analyst guaranteed that the Hornets rookie will be ready to play for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics.

“I rarely do this. I guarantee this guy is going to be on the team [USA] in 2028. Kon Knueppel. I’m guaranteeing he’ll be one of the 12 guys in 2028,” Simmons said on The Zach Lowe Show.

“He’s perfect for international basketball. [He] can play multiple positions. Can switch on defense,” he added.

But the ultimate form of praise? Simmons compared the rookie to Boston Celtics star Derrick White.

“Knows where to go and what to do, very Derrick White-ish. Knows how to fit in with other guys and can shoot. I’m just betting on, in three years, it will make complete sense that he’s on the team,” Simmons stated.

Kon Knueppel ‘checks so many boxes’ for International basketball, says Bill Simmons

The 6’7″ guard spent just a single season with Duke’s basketball program before declaring for the NBA Draft. But that short stint was enough for Simmons to judge the prospect’s ceiling.

For context, Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game for Duke.

“He just checks so many boxes for the international thing. He won’t care if he plays that much. He’ll be ready if you need him. He has insurance at the swing spots. He can rebound,” Simmons continued.

The renowned sports analyst concluded, stating: “He’s the kind of guy that would be on like, Serbia, or Lithuania, and you’d be like, ‘God, that guy is killing us. How does he have 12 rebounds and four threes?’ He’s a must for me.”

While this is a massive prediction about Knueppel, first, he must prove himself in the NBA. Knueppel has already impressed during the NBA Summer League; he has to carry that momentum into the season.