Kon Knueppel Is The FUTURE Of The Charlotte Hornets…

Kon Knueppel Is The FUTURE Of The Charlotte Hornets…

Over the past 5-ish months, Khan Canipple has seemingly done nothing but win. In his last 22 games played between Duke and the Hornets, he has a record of 21 and one. He won the ACC tournament and the summer league championship being named the MVP of both events. It’s a crazy run of success for the doit all forward and he just makes an undeniable impact on winning. He had a positive plus minus in every single game he played in Las Vegas. Some questioned whether he was a reach by the Hornets at number four, suggesting they should have gone with supposedly higher upside prospects like Ace Bailey and Trey Johnson. While the Hornets are very quickly being proven right, over his last four games, he averaged 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists while shooting 40% from three. He was simply a level above the competition and impacted the game in a variety of ways. He even took a pretty nasty hit to the head in the semifinals and played through it in the finals when many other top prospects would have just sat out. There’s a toughness to him that we’re seeing very early on. I really like what this New Hornets front office is doing. They got Colin Ston essentially for nothing and brought in Spencer Denwy for some veteran leadership. Two of their other picks, Liam McNeely and Ryan Clockbrer, also impressed in Vegas. But their best move so far this off season is undeniably Canipple, who seems ready to start ahead of Colin Ston when the season begins in October. He also fits so well as a connective piece between the Mellow Ball and Brandon Miller. Khan Canipple is the future of the Charlotte Hornets. Now, let’s take a deeper look. Before we get more into the rookie standout in Charlotte, if you enjoy my content, I watch a few videos of mine. Think about subscribing. 96% of my viewers are actually not subscribed. So, if you watch me before and enjoy the content, drop a sub and comment down below. It really helps the channel. While the top three picks spent most of summer league on the sidelines, fourth overall selection Khan Canipple made the most of his opportunity and then some. The 19-year-old wing turned heads all tournament long, averaging 15.6 points, nearly five rebounds, and four assists per game while leading the Charlotte Hornets to their first ever summer league championship. Canipple saved his best for last, delivering a standout performance in the title game. He poured in 21 points, including four made threes on 11 attempts, and sealed the win with a deep 31-footer in the final minute. The Wisconsin native clutch play and consistent production earned him summer league MVP honors and gave Hornets fans a glimpse of potential franchise cornerstone. The most bankable aspect of Khan Canipple’s game is his elite three-point shooting. As a freshman at Duke, he knocked down 40.6% of his threes on over five attempts per game, showcasing his range through a mix of spot-ups, pull-ups, and movement shots. His mechanics, touch, and versatility as a shooter give him clear potential to be one of the league’s premier marksmen. But what makes Caniple truly intriguing is how much more he offers beyond that. His upside is rooted in his off the dribble game. While he doesn’t have blazing quickness, he’s far from slow, using a blend of strength, craft, and poise to get where he wants. His handle is tight and composed, allowing him to initiate offense, navigate screens, and create space for pull-ups. At 220 lbs, he’s able to absorb contact and power through defenders, using his frame to carve out driving angles and force rotations. What separates Canipple is how well his skills complement that physical approach. He’s highly advanced in reading angles, manipulating pace, and understanding how help defenses rotate. He’s also a strong finisher off two feet and a tough shot maker in traffic, converting nearly 57% of his twos as a freshman. As a passer, he stands out for his vision and timing, capable of hitting interior cutters or firing accurate skip passes. His twoman game is especially sharp, using his shot threat, strength, and feel to generate quality looks for teammates. For Canpple to reach his full NBA potential, continued development is key. Adding strength, tightening his handle, sharpening his passing, and refining his scoring craft inside the ark. Still, he enters the league with a strong base in all those areas and the tools to grow into a dynamic offensive weapon. Ultimately, his ceiling will be shaped by how effectively he can weaponize his offball scoring. His ability to knock down shots and finish inside with efficiency, especially in low dribble, quick decision situations will be the foundation of his NBA value. From there, he can grow into more onball responsibility as his game matures. Direct player comparisons are always imperfect, but looking at stylistic and developmental parallels can offer insight. Canipple’s high-end projection likely lies somewhere at the intersection of Trey Murphy and Austin Reeves. A blend of movement shooting, smart offball play, and pick and roll craft. And in an especially optimistic development path where his shotmaking reaches elite levels, and his self-creation expands, he could even start to resemble a player in the mold of Devon Booker. For now, Canipple’s journey will be one to watch as he joins forces with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, a sharpshooting trio with the potential to push Charlotte to new heights. Thanks for watching. I’m Herm. Have a good one. [Music]

Kon Knueppel has done nothing but win lately — and he’s doing it in style. Over his last 22 games between Duke and the Hornets, he’s 21-1, with MVP honors in both the ACC Tournament and NBA Summer League. The Hornets’ #4 overall pick was labeled a “reach” by some on draft night… but those doubts are disappearing fast.

In Vegas, Knueppel averaged 15.6 points, nearly 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game — and saved his best for last, dropping 21 points and burying a 31-foot dagger in the championship game. He was the clear MVP of the tournament, and his two-way impact, toughness, and elite shooting are already turning heads. Over his final four games, he put up 18/6/4 while shooting 40% from deep — and did it all with a positive plus-minus every single game.

But Kon’s game goes far beyond stats. He’s a knockdown shooter (40.6% from three at Duke), a savvy passer, and a tough, physical driver who can operate on or off the ball. His blend of poise, feel, and basketball IQ makes him the perfect connector between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller — and he’s already looking like Charlotte’s best move of the offseason.

In this video, we dive deep into Knueppel’s game, what makes him so effective, and why his ceiling could be much higher than anyone thought. From movement shooting to pick-and-roll craft, Kon might just be the Hornets’ future — and it’s arriving fast.

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