The NBA world is abuzz with excitement over Duke basketball freshman Cooper Flagg, and rightfully so.
Many are also intrigued by the 7-foot-2 rookie center Khaman Maluach, projected as a Top-3 draft pick in ESPN’s early 2025 mock draft. However, freshman wing Kon Knueppel might be the unexpected star of the roster this season, already making his mark on draft boards.
Last week, Knueppel attended the Jayson Tatum Elite Camp, where he impressed several NBA scouts with his elite shooting and surprising defensive skills.
Incoming Duke freshman, Kon Knueppel, had a very productive all-around showing at the Tatum Elite Camp.
Rained down threes, finished through contact, made smart cuts, kept the ball moving, and was rock solid defensively.
Projected mid-1st round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/wUmdOQc9tZ
— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) July 10, 2024
Jon Chepkevich, Director of Scouting for DraftExpress, noted that the fast-rising guard “had a very productive all-around showing,” highlighting his ability to rain down threes, finish through contact, make smart cuts, keep the ball moving, and provide solid defense. Chepkevich projected Knueppel as a mid-first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This marks one of the first times Knueppel has been linked to the draft, despite lacking the size and physical attributes of other top prospects. The Athletic’s early mock draft, published on Wednesday, has Knueppel going No. 16 overall in June.
Ranked as a 5-star recruit and No. 18 in the country by the 247Sports Composite rankings, Knueppel dominated his senior season in Wisconsin, sweeping the Player of the Year Awards. He averaged 25.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 59.4% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc. On the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, he shot 47.5% from three-point range and has already demonstrated his shooting prowess in Duke’s offseason workouts. Despite his last high school measurements of 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Duke now lists Knueppel at 6-foot-7, 217 pounds.
While the spotlight is on Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, and Caleb Foster, Kon Knueppel is poised to make a significant impact when the Blue Devils kick off their season on November 4 against Maine.