Kon Knueppel's Mom Turns Heads At The NBA Draft
Kon Knueppel's Mom Turns Heads At The NBA Draft originally appeared on The Spun.
Kon Knueppel is rising up the NBA Draft boards ahead of the first round on Wednesday night. The Duke Blue Devils star could be a top pick. Knueppel, who spent one year at Duke, is considered by some to be a top-five prospect.
Advertisement
The former five-star recruit, who comes from a major sports family, is seen as one of the most sure-fire bets to become a good to great NBA player.
ESPN currently has Knueppel landing at No. 4 overall to the Charlotte Hornets.
"Rival teams believe the Hornets will ultimately prioritize Knueppel's strong perimeter shooting, playmaking and leadership skills, as well as his strong fit with the likes of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The Hornets would be going for a safer option in Knueppel after swinging for the fences with Tidjane Salaun in last year's draft at No. 6," ESPN writes.
"Knueppel rates well in analytics-based draft models, but the Hornets might ponder whether they could still add him if they elect to move down a few slots and acquire additional assets in the process."
Advertisement
Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, Knueppel's mom is turning heads. She's a former women's college basketball player.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 4: 2025 Kon Knueppel #7 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament at Alamodome on April 4, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by)Knueppel was overshadowed by Cooper Flagg at Duke, but he was a standout player.
"If Cooper Flagg weren't on Duke, I think Kon Knueppel would be getting serious first team All-American buzz," college basketball analyst Evan Miya wrote.
"He's ranked as the 6th most valuable player in the country at EvanMiya.com. He's been a tremendous shooter, scorer, playmaker, and has been great on defense."
Knueppel's mom is Chari Nordgaard Knueppel, a former college hoops star. She was a standout player at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has five sons.
Advertisement
The mom of the Duke Blue Devils star played in two NCAA Women's Basketball Tournaments in 1998 and 1999. Knueppel's mom is UWGB's all-time leading scorer with 1,964 points.
CBS Sports reporter Tracy Wolfson opened up about the Knueppel family during the NCAA Tournament.
They've been on quite a ride.
Knueppel's family is sure to have a lot to celebrate heading into the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
The first round is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. E.T.
It'll air live on ESPN.
Kon Knueppel's Mom Turns Heads At The NBA Draft first appeared on The Spun on Jun 26, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens looks on before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens, center, arrives for his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens looks on before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens, center, arrives for his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Advertisement Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Advertisement Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson. 'He's one of the greatest leaders the NBA has ever seen,' McMillan said. ___ AP NBA:
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
Pirates great and World Series champion Dave Parker dies, team announces
One of the most beloved figures in Pittsburgh Pirates history, Dave Parker, has died, the MLB franchise confirmed on Saturday. He was 74. Parker, who was also affectionately known as "The Cobra," was named to seven MLB All-Star teams. He racked up more than 2,700 hits and hit 339 homers during his storied big league career. He received National League MVP honors for his standout 1978 season. While he is best known for his tenure with the Pirates, Parker also had stints with the Cincinnati Reds, the Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and two other MLB clubs. Parker died less than two months before he was scheduled to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. A moment of silence took place at the Pirates home game against the New York Mets on Saturday. Parker was a key piece of the Pirates' 1979 World Series-winning team. He was also a member of the Athletics 1989 World Series championship team. The Pirates honored its former star, saying the news of Parker's passing left them "heartbroken." OutKick's Ricky Cobb, host of "The Ricky Cobb Show," took to his Super 70s X feed to share his thoughts on the loss of Parker. "I'm sad he won't be there physically to be enshrined in Cooperstown in less than a month. But I'm happy he passed secure at last in the knowledge he will forever reside among baseball's immortals. Have your lighter handy, St. Peter, because smoking one with the Cobra will be a privilege. #RIP," the post concluded. Parker went public with his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2013. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WWE: Liv Morgan to miss several months due to shoulder injury
WWE's Liv Morgan will be out for several months due to a shoulder injury. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI June 24 (UPI) -- WWE star Liv Morgan will miss several months of action due to a shoulder injury she suffered last week. WWE commentator Corey Graves made the announcement while discussing Morgan's injury on Raw Monday. Advertisement Morgan is currently one half of the Women's Tag Team Champions alongside her partner Raquel Rodriguez. WWE has not announced what will happen to the titles. Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder June 16 during her match against Kairi Sane on Raw. The incident happened shortly after the match started when Morgan received a single-leg takedown from Sane. The move was performed properly, however, Morgan yelled in pain and the match was immediately paused. WWE superstar Liv Morgan throws the ceremonial first pitch before the Colorado Rockies-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., in 2022. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI WWE medical personnel came ringside to check on Morgan, who was escorted to the back. The match was canceled, with Sane winning by forfeit. Morgan had recently attacked Hall of Famer Nikki Bella with the segment appearing to set up a match between the two; however, the bout will now most likely not take place.
