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Kon Knueppel's Confident Message on Playing With LaMelo Ball, Hornets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 7:20 AM ET

The Charlotte Hornets got their own Duke Blue Devils star in the 2025 NBA draft, as they selected Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick overall Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

It remains to be seen how big of an impact Knueppel will have on the Hornets, a franchise that continues to search for stability on the court amid consecutive losing seasons. Nevertheless, Knueppel believes he'll fit right in with his new teammates.

"I feel really confident about my ability to play with any group of guys on the floor and be an effective player with guys like LaMelo [Ball], who has the ball in his hands a lot, and talented guys like Brandon Miller," the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native said after the draft (h/t Alex Kennedy of PFSN).

"Being able to play off the ball with them and be effective, especially as a movement shooter spacing the floor. I think that'll be a good fit," Knueppel added.

Shooters always have a place in the NBA, especially in the current era of positionless basketball. With his proven ability to make shots from the perimeter, Knueppel figures to be someone who can help stretch the floor and create plenty of good looks for Charlotte's offense, which was last in the league in the 2024-25 NBA season with just an average of 106.7 points per 100 possessions.

Additionally, the Hornets' 33.9 percent success rate from deep (28th in the NBA) last season screams of 3-point help, which Knueppel can address after shooting 40.6 percent from behind the arc in his only season with the Blue Devils.

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

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