The Hornets have used the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 draft to select 6’5″ wing Kon Knueppel.
Knueppel, one of three top-10 prospects (along with Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach) from a Duke team that made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament this spring, was one of the best outside shooters in college basketball in 2024/25, knocking down 2.2 three-pointers per game at an elite rate of 40.6% as a freshman.
A member of the All-ACC second team and this year’s ACC Tournament MVP, Knueppel has also shown promise as a passer and defender and exhibited the ability to score from inside the three-point line, so he’s not just a one-dimensional shooter, writes ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Knueppel, who turns 20 years old in August, averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 39 games (30.5 minutes per contest) in his freshman season for the Blue Devils, knocking down 56.7% of his twos and 91.4% of his free throws.
Charlotte opted for a high-floor prospect in Knueppel rather than going for a riskier choice who may have more long-term upside, with Ace Bailey and Maluach among the players who would have fit that bill.
Knueppel’s skill set should theoretically fit well in any system, and the Hornets certainly have a need for his shooting prowess after ranking last in the NBA in FG% and 28th in 3PT% in ’24/25. He could immediately slide into the starting lineup alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Melo Kon Miller … Williams
Should look to move off Bridges for a more defensive minded 4.
Tre Mann, Josh Green, Grant Williams etc they have some nice depth already
A Jabari Smith would be really awesome.
Jermai Grant would be another decent shout.
Herb Jones maybe …
Why do the Hornets continue to make poor draft picks? Shooters without athleticism should not be picked this high.
We can’t even blame Michael Jordan on this one unless he’s still hanging out in the war room of the Hornets voicing his opinion ?
Hornets gonna Hornet. Terrible pick do they think Kon is going to sell tickets?
This what Charlotte always does. Take the local player. Duke, N Carolina. He’s a solid player. Not this high. They could have traded down snd still got him
Nah, Utah wasn’t gonna let a baby faced white boy get by then.
Adam Morrison 2.0
Great pick and the best stand still shooter in the draft.