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Kon Knueppel Addresses Unique Playing Style Before His First NBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 9:43 AM ET

Kon Knueppel is stepping into the NBA with something a lot of rookies take years to figure out and it is a rock-solid sense of who he is as a player. He’s not trying to hide behind flashy highlights or pretend he’s some high-flying dunk machine.

Instead, he’s owning every bit of his game, quirks and all. Some people have raised eyebrows about his unusual two-footed style and whether it’ll hold up against NBA athletes. But for the 4th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft class, that’s not a weakness, it's his way of balancing out the athleticism.

In a recent interview the newly acquired Charlotte Hornets guard talked about playing on two feet. "It evens out the athleticism…I’m not super athletic, so being able to play off two feet...now they have to be ready for a shot fake or a pivot. It kind of evens the playing field."

Kon Knueppel on playing on two feet:

“It evens out the athleticism…I’m not super athletic, so being able to play off two feet..now they have to be ready for a shot fake or a pivot. It kind of evens the playing field.”

(Via @JeremyGrandiso1 )

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— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) July 4, 2025

If there’s one thing you can count on with Knueppel, it’s that the guy can flat-out shoot. At Duke, he knocked down over 40% of his threes and hit free throws at an insane 91.4% clip. He rarely had cold streaks either, you pretty much knew what you were getting every night. His shooting form is super clean and efficient, and he’s got a real feel for moving without the ball and finding open spots.

But it’s not just about the deep ball he actually surprised a lot of people with how well he finishes inside. Sure, he’s not some explosive leaper, but he shot over 60% at the rim by using smart angles, good body control and a ton of patience.

What really sets Knueppel apart, though, is how he just plays winning basketball. He makes quick decisions, keeps the ball moving, and never tries to do too much the kind of guy every team needs.

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

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