Kon Knueppel is coming to Charlotte. Get to know the Hornets’ first-round pick
Kon Knueppel is coming to Charlotte.
The Charlotte Hornets picked the Duke standout with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, adding a versatile wing to their young core.
Here are five things to know about the Hornets’ newest first-round pick:
1. He’s a polished offensive player with an elite shot
Knueppel enters the NBA among the most efficient scorers in this year’s draft class.
The 6-foot-7 guard/wing averaged 14.4 points per game during his lone season at Duke, shooting 40.6% from 3-point range. He is known for his smooth mechanics, high basketball IQ and ability to contribute both on and off the ball.
Knueppel’s prowess behind the arc could be a perfect complement to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller — and a much-needed boost to a Hornets team that finished last in the NBA in scoring (105.1 ppg) and 28th in 3-point percentage (33.9%).
2. He was “Mr. Basketball” in high school, and never stopped scoring
Before arriving in Durham, Knueppel was a household name in national recruiting circles.
The five-star recruit starred at Wisconsin Lutheran High School and was named the Badger State’s Mr. Basketball in 2023. He averaged 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game as a senior, when he led his team to its state championship a little more than a year ago.
In the title game, Knueppel — drawing heavy defensive attention — finished with 11 points and 11 assists to help Wisconsin Lutheran cruise past its rival.
3. He chose Duke over several powerhouse programs
A top-15 recruit in the 2024 class, Knueppel had no shortage of college suitors.
Knueppel ultimately committed to Duke in the fall of his senior year, choosing the Blue Devils over Alabama, Wisconsin, Virginia and Marquette.
A double-digit scorer throughout high school, Knueppel impressed coaches with his versatility — a player who could dribble, pass and defend at a high level.
That complete skill set made him an early-impact freshman at Duke, and now, a top-five NBA Draft pick.
4. He comes from a family of hoopers
Basketball runs deep in the Knueppel family.
His mother, Chari Nordgaard, was a star at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from 1995 to 1999. She’s the program’s all-time leading scorer and the only player in school history to average more than 20 points per game in a season. Her jersey hangs in the rafters of the Phoenix’s arena.
His father, Kon Knueppel I, scored more than 2,000 points at Wisconsin Lutheran College, earning all-conference honors all four years and leading his team to a conference tournament title as a senior. He’s now in the school’s Hall of Fame.
And his uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, also played at UW-Green Bay — and even logged 13 games in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1997.
5. How do you pronounce “Knueppel”?
This question comes up a lot.
“Kon Kuh-nipple, like the body part,” he told reporters last year with a grin.
Safe to say Charlotte fans won’t be forgetting his name anytime soon.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM.
