Duke Reacts to Cooper Flagg-Kon Knueppel Postgame Interaction
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Former Duke stars Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were both projected to be NBA lottery picks, and both players were top-five selections in the 2025 draft.
Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks, and Knueppel No. 4 overall to the Charlotte Hornets. So when they saw their respective NBA Summer League schedules, they both likely had July 14 circled.
The Mavericks and Hornets met on Monday night, and though Flagg didn't play—Dallas made the decision over the weekend to bench him for the rest of the Summer League (likely to avoid injury risk)—that didn't stop him from sharing a special embrace with his former Blue Devils teammate.
The Duke men's basketball account posted a video on X of Flagg and Knueppel sharing an embrace in the handshake line after the game with the caption: "Kon 🤝 Coop @NBASummerLeague."
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It was the first meeting the two teammates had since getting drafted nearly three weeks ago. The two will likely see each other a few times during the regular season as well; the Mavericks and Hornets play each other twice a year.
Charlotte got the better on Monday's meeting, cruising to an 87-69 victory. While Flagg watched from the bench in street clothes, Knueppel put on an admirable performance.
The 19-year-old guard recorded a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) along with four assists, a block, and a steal in 6 minutes of action. He was the game's leading scorer right behind teammate KJ Simpson, who logged 18 points and seven assists.
Both Flagg and Knueppel had standout freshmen seasons at Duke last year.
Cooper Flagg #2 and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Duke Blue Devils react after Flagg scored a three point basket to end the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the East Regional Sweet Sixteen...
Cooper Flagg #2 and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Duke Blue Devils react after Flagg scored a three point basket to end the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the East Regional Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Prudential Center on March 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. MoreMore NBA/WNBA: Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA History Against Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
The 19-year-old Flagg, who averaged a team-high 19.2 points per game along with 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per contest, was named the National College Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year while also winning the Lute Olson, Julius Erving, and Wayman Tisdale awards.
He was also a consensus first-team All-American plus a first-team All-ACC, ACC All-Defensive Team, and ACC All-Freshman selection.
Conversely, Knueppel, who averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game last season, was an ACC All-Freshman Team and second-team All-ACC selection. He also took home ACC Tournament MVP honors as well.
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Yahoo
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New York Times
9 minutes ago
- New York Times
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NBC Sports
16 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
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NBC Sports' broadcast and streaming schedule will be released in August, with additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage to be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
