Hornets Rookie Kon Knueppel Signs Deal with Jordan Brand
Kon Knueppel is just a few weeks into his NBA journey. His Charlotte Hornets are set to open their Summer League season on Friday night against the Utah Jazz.
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The 19-year-old Milwaukee native spent one season at Duke, where he built a strong résumé. Knueppel worked his way up to become the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Now a member of the Hornets, Knueppel is making headlines before even stepping on the court in a Charlotte jersey. On Thursday, he signed a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan Brand.
Nick DePaula, who covers the NBA and WNBA shoe industry for SLAM Magazine and ESPN, broke the news on X:
"Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has signed a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan Brand."
DePaula added:
"The 4th overall pick in the draft will become the key Jordan endorser on Charlotte, the only NBA franchise to feature the Jumpman logo on all uniforms."
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The Jumpman logo has been a Jordan Brand exclusive since 2015, when the brand opened its flagship store in Chicago. The logo, featuring the silhouette of NBA legend Michael Jordan, is worn only by the Hornets as part of their game uniforms.
Kon Knueppel shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fourth pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jordan, who bought a stake in the Hornets in 2006, stepped down as majority owner in 2023 but remains a minority stakeholder.
At Duke, Knueppel played in 39 games and averaged 14.4 points per game. He shared the floor with Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks.
After Friday's game against Utah, the Hornets take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
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Related: Kevin Durant's Comment on New Rockets Teammate is Turning Heads
Related: Big Update Emerges on LeBron James-to-Knicks Rumor
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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