Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel possesses a competitive edge that belies his quiet demeanor, according to head coach Charles Lee, who delivered a blunt assessment of his young star.
“He has this bravado, this façade, where he doesn’t give you much. He stays even keeled,” Lee stated. “But he’s a f—ing killer.”
Knueppel has recorded 162 three-pointers through his first 49 NBA games, the most by any player in league history over that span. The 20-year-old guard is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while emerging as a surprise contender for NBA Rookie of the Year behind Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, his former Duke teammate and roommate.
The Milwaukee native scored 32 points in his first NBA game at Fiserv Forum in November, with approximately 2,000 people from his hometown attending. Knueppel has been selected for the Rising Stars mini-tournament and the three-point contest at this week’s All-Star Weekend.
“When the moment’s the biggest, he wants to be the guy that steps up,” said Hornets guard Sion James, also a former Duke teammate. “He’s always like, ‘Give me the ball. Find me. I’ll get open.’ He’s not afraid.”
Knueppel played his freshman season at Duke in 2024-25, where associate head coach Emanuel Dildy told NBA scouts during the predraft process: “Kon’s a hockey player. He just happens to be great at basketball.”
Former Hornets teammate Pat Connaughton praised Knueppel’s maturity and self-motivation. The guard is known as an old soul who enjoys 1980s music, soft rock and classic films like “The Princess Bride.”
Lee highlighted Knueppel’s basketball intelligence on both ends of the floor, particularly his defensive instincts and ability to adjust during games.
“Most guys like to relax,” Lee said regarding Knueppel’s rebounding effort. “Even if his guy doesn’t crash, he’s coming in to get a hit on somebody else’s guy.”
Knueppel ranks third in the NBA in three-pointers made this season behind Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell. He has been named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three times.