Hornets' Bridges has high praise for rookie sensation Knueppel

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel. Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

Hornets' Miles Bridges has high praise for rookie sensation Kon Knueppel

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 4:29 PM ET

As is the case most seasons for the Charlotte Hornets, it's been a disappointing start to the year.

Charlotte will enter Wednesday's NBA Cup contest against the New York Knicks at 4-13 and slowly falling further back from the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Bright spot in the form of a rookie

There has, though, been several bright spots at times, but none bigger than rookie shooting guard Kon Knueppel.

Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick from Duke, has been brilliant for the Hornets in his rookie season. Knueppel is averaging 19.4 points per game on 49.2% shooting.

Knueppel is averaging 3.7 made three-pointers per game, good for sixth in the league. His 43.8% three-point percentage is first for Charlotte among its qualified shooters. Knueppel's excellent rookie campaign has caught the attention of the Hornets veteran power forward Miles Bridges.

most three-pointers made through the first 17 games of a career

1. Kon Knueppel - 63 (43.8%)
2. Jordan Hawkins - 47 (36.4%)
3. Armoni Brooks - 47 (38.8%)
4. Damian Lillard - 43 (41.0%)
5. Benn Mathurin - 42 (43.3%)
6. Luka Doncic - 41 (38.3%)
7. Lauri Markkanen - 41 (34.4%) pic.twitter.com/NLXah5WiSv
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) November 24, 2025

Miles Bridges gives high praise

Bridges spoke after Charlotte's practice on Tuesday, and he had high praise for the rookie.

"He's been great, he's been our best player this year," Bridges said. "He's been consistent and he brings it every game, every day. That's just the type of person he is so, it's been great playing with him."

The words from Bridges, who is averaging a team high 22 points per game, should mean quite a bit to the rookie who is third on the team in scoring.

Rookie of the Year race

If Knueppel keeps up his excellent play, both he and his Duke teammate, Dallas Mavericks No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg will be in a season-long battle for NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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