Hornets take Duke guard Kon Knueppel with No. 4 pick in 2025 NBA draft
welcome to the 704, @Kon2Knueppel! 🐝@CorcoranHM | 🔗https://t.co/UCUOhuBNgX pic.twitter.com/AzoOcstCsq
With the fourth overall pick on Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel from Duke in the 2025 NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Knueppel was a second-team All-ACC selection after averaging 14.4 points, four rebounds, 2.7 assists and one steal in 39 games on 40.6% shooting from 3-point range. He scored in double figures in all but seven games, including a season-high 28 points and eight assists on March 13.
The 6-foot-6 guard was once viewed as a potential lottery pick, but climbed boards throughout the predraft process to become a top-five selection. He was selected three picks after Blue Devils teammate Cooper Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks.
Knueppel ranked seventh in the country in free-throw percentage (91.4), eighth in offensive rating (133.7) and ninth in win shares (6.9) last season. He was also tied for the ninth-most appearances after helping the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
The 19-year-old was highly touted in the draft because of his shooting and ability to facilitate offenses. But it is his floor spacing that will be coveted at the next level after the ACC tournament MVP established himself as perhaps the top shooter in the draft.
Knueppel projects to provide the Hornets with another young player they can build around next to the likes of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams. After becoming one of the top players at Duke, Knueppel won't have to go very far to join his next team.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
35 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Revolution displayed resolve and resourcefulness in comeback victory
Coach Caleb Porter could not have planned it this way, but the Revolution seem to have developed an underdog mentality that provides an edge in away matches. Meanwhile, performing at Gillette Stadium seldom brings out their best. One reason is the roster is filled with new players, still acclimatizing to New England. And it is not just the climate that can be disconcerting, but also a not-yet-familiar playing surface and stadium. Practices are held on well-groomed, wide-open fields at their training facility, not always the best preparation for the stadium's synthetic turf and slightly claustrophobic setup with signboards. Also, the Revolution seem comfortable thinking defense-first, a good idea away, when the home team tends to open up. When roles are reversed, and the Revolution are faced with the opposition in defend-and-counter mode, it's been a struggle. This should not be considered unusual, though, as the Revolution opened the season with 10 road games out of 15, and it has been difficult to switch gears. Advertisement The dynamic, and mind-set, might have changed during the second half against the Rapids, though. The Revolution finally figured out how to dictate the tempo, pushing the Rapids to the limit and, eventually, breaking through. Porter took some blame for the slow start against the Rapids, going with three new defenders. In April, Porter got ahead of the curve by switching the Revolution from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-1-2 setup, kicking off a nine-match unbeaten streak. But tweaks are sometimes necessary and, if wrong, Porter did make decisive corrections in the second half. Porter also must deal with his squad's tendency to self-destruct, from costly misplays to non-contact injuries. The Rapids' first goal resulted from a counterattack, ignited by an ill-advised Alhassan Yusuf backheel. It was a turnover that left the Revolution off balance, and without Yusuf in position to correct things, as Calvin Harris converted (29th minute). Then, Tomas Chancalay departed after simply raising his left leg to block a pass (40th). With Leo Campana (hamstring) on limited minutes in his first start since May 17, Porter had few options. The subs, though, worked out, as Luca Langoni threatened on the left wing, and a Tanner Beason-Urruti combination provided the equalizer. Though things did not go well offensively for the Revolution early, they were only thwarted by Chidozie Awaziem's defending and Nico Defreitas-Hansen's goalkeeping. Down, 3-0, it took persistence and a precise Gil cross to break through in the 58th minute, Sam Vines surrendering an own goal. Though the Revolution identity had been based on hermetic defending (average 0.9 goals against before last week), this was their fourth three-goal production in the last eight games. Advertisement Gil, snubbed for an All-Star spot, might be making a better MVP case than in 2021, when he won the award. Gil simply took over, even knifing into the penalty area in an attempt to finish a cross — which led to the penalty kick (86th), after being fouled by Sam Bassett. This was a role reversal sequence for Gil, who should not be expected to finish a cross in that area. But Gil timed his run so well that the cross landed on him as he fell, leaving referee Natalie Simon little choice — either rule embellishment for Gil or award a penalty. Even Gil can only do so much, though, and on the Revolution's third goal, he dished to Beason, a left-footer who went righty to find Urruti. Gil can only do so much in terms of leadership, as well, and that seemed lacking in the Revolution's 3-2 loss to Nashville SC Wednesday without midfielder 'What I'm proud of is the group refused to lose,' Porter said. 'I've been in this league now [401 games], and I've never had a team come back from three goals down to get a point. So, it's an unbelievable thing to be able to do, and it takes a resilient team. It takes a team that's mentally tough, and it's amazing. I think it could be a turning point for us for sure.' Advertisement Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
2025 California Golden Bears win total predictions, futures, over/under and odds
The California Golden Bears have the lowest projected win total in the ACC in 2025 (5.5), and they have +124 odds to go over that total. Cal futures: win total over/under, odds College football odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 3:24 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Cal splits - last season Cal draft picks lost Watch College Football on Fubo!
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Celtics' Jayson Tatum shares Cooper Flagg photo after NBA Draft
The post Celtics' Jayson Tatum shares Cooper Flagg photo after NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following the 2025 NBA Draft, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum shared a photo on Instagram with newly drafted Cooper Flagg, showcasing a meaningful connection between the NBA veteran and the league's newest top pick, via Noa Dalzell. The photo, which shows Tatum in conversation with Flagg, comes after Flagg publicly named Tatum as his favorite player and the one he most looks forward to facing in the NBA. Advertisement In a draft night interview with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, when asked who his favorite player is, Flagg responded, 'Maybe Jayson Tatum. That's somebody that I watched a lot at Duke and then watched a lot again as he went on to the Celtics.' Flagg also added during the interview, 'He's had an incredible career.' Flagg was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, becoming the third Duke player since 2019 to go first overall, joining Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero. The 18-year-old standout freshman at Duke averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. He shot 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three across 37 games, leading Duke to the Final Four before falling to Houston. Hailing from Maine, Flagg grew up watching Tatum closely, especially given Tatum's own ties to Duke and his ascension with the nearby Boston Celtics. Tatum has become a model of consistency and excellence for the Celtics. The 27-year-old forward is a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. He led Boston to the 2024 NBA Championship and followed up with another strong season, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. However, Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025–26 season due to a torn Achilles suffered in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Advertisement Flagg enters the league with sky-high expectations. His rookie contract with Dallas is worth $62.7 million through 2028. If he meets projections, Flagg could become eligible for a $359 million supermax deal in 2029 and a potential $509 million contract in 2034. His potential career earnings could exceed $930 million from NBA contracts alone by age 31. Even with all the excitement, unfortunately, Cooper Flagg will not face his idol on the court during his rookie year due to Tatum's injury. Related: Celtics pull off trade with Magic amid second round of 2025 NBA draft Related: Celtics' trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depth
