Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer recently interviewed the Hornets‘ four 2025 draft picks — Kon Knueppel (No. 4), Liam McNeeley (No. 29), Sion James (No. 33) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34) — to see how they’re adjusting to the city and preparing for their rookie seasons, among other topics.
The Hornets were the only team to go undefeated at the Las Vegas Summer League, finishing 6-0 en route to the championship, with Knueppel named the finale’s MVP. The former Duke wing says he’s happy fans are excited about the Summer League showing, but the team is striving for more.
“I think it’s cool,” Knueppel told Boone. “We want to carry that momentum over a little bit. We’ve been having a good fall so far, playing a bunch with the guys. So, it’s been good so far and hopefully we can carry that momentum toward the season.”
Knueppel is also looking forward to playing for head coach Charles Lee, according to Boone.
“He’s a good person first,” Knueppel said. “It’s real easy to gravitate toward someone who is a good guy. And to see the way he operates with other people, everyone in the organization. And his family, too, he loves being around his family, so that’s just someone you want to play hard for. He takes the Xs and O’s really seriously. So, yeah, I’m really excited.”
Here are a few more highlights from Boone’s interviews:
McNeeley on fan enthusiasm for the 2025/26 season:
“Yeah, Charlotte’s like a big sports city, a big sports town. I think it’s cool to give the fans something to hope for, something to root for. It’s really cool to be part of something that’s building and is going to be at a high level in a couple of years.”
Kalkbrenner on what has stood out most about the team:
“Obviously, I’ve never been in the NBA before, but I think this year’s group is really, really committed to changing the culture, and trying to win and bring a winning culture here. It seems like we all want the same thing. We’re not just here to be here, have a job or whatever. We are all trying to win. So, I’ve been really impressed with that and it makes me really excited to get out there with them.”
James on which part of his game he wants to improve most:
“It will really happen once the games start coming. It’s probably too soon to say now. I want to improve everything in my game is the cop out answer I guess, but in reality I know I’m just going to have to figure out what it means to be in the NBA. And doing that, there will be some ups and downs, but I’m OK with that.”
Summer league championship momentum is a thing?
LMAO