Kon Knueppel’s media availability at NBA draft combine.
Kon Knueppel II had his media availability at the NBA combine in Chicago.
Before Kon Knueppel was selected No. 4 by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft, he teamed up with another legendary Wisconsinite.
The Wisconsin Lutheran High School alum co-starred in a Charlie Berens original. This one is about “when someone new walks into the bar.”
The video skit, which Berens shared on social media, starts off with the comedian posted up to a bar — divey, of course — sporting a fishing shirt and tattered gold cap.
“Holy smokes! Look at this cloud sniffer,” Berens said as the towering Knueppel walked in and popped a squat.
When Knueppel ordered a kiddie cocktail from the bartender, Berens interjected: “Liz, get the guy an old fashioned. It’s almost noon.”
One problem: Knueppel is only 19. When he let Berens know, the comedian responded with an “oh no.”
“So, how tall are you up to now?” Berens asked.
“I’m 6’6″,” Knueppel said.
But, Berens needed to verify that for himself. With a tape measure handy — naturally — Berens had the basketballer stand up.
“Is this really necessary?” Knueppel asked.
“Yeah. Measure twice, cut once,” Berens replied.
Astounded by Knueppel’s height, Berens hit him with a variation of the signature tall-person question:
“You play basketball? Or ya dust?” Berens asked. “What do you do?”
After Knueppel told Berens that he played for Duke, Berens gave him the ol’ “I played ball back in my day. I could’ve gone pro.”
Fellow patron Dave, who was playing a nearby slot machine, clocked that. And, after Berens and Dave did a little tit for tat, Knueppel was ready for his check.
“Oh, wait, wait,” Berens told Knueppel. “What do they call you?”
“Kon,” Knueppel replied.
“Oh yeah, me too,” Berens said. “What did they get you for?”
After Knueppel explained that’s his real name, Berens realized who he was …
“You’re Chari’s son!” Berens said (Yes, that’s actually Knueppel’s mom’s name. She was a college basketball star, too). “You play for Duke! Why didn’t you just say so?”
“I did actually say that,” Knueppel said.
Berens informed Knueppel that Duke “really screwed up” his NCAA bracket for 2025’s March Madness. Knueppel helped take his team to the Final Four before a shocking loss to Houston.
Maybe obliging to a photo request from Berens would help make up for it?
After bartender Liz snapped it, Berens let Knueppel know he’d tag him on Facebook and said Knueppel could share the photo, too, if he wanted.
Too bad Liz cut out half of Berens’ head in the pic.
“Really, Liz?” Berens asked. “Is this ’cause I didn’t pay my tab?”
Knueppel is one of the most decorated basketball prospects to ever hail from Wisconsin.
He led Wisconsin Lutheran to an undefeated 30-0 season his senior year, topped with a WIAA Division 2 state championship victory. He was named 2024’s Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.
Collegiate programs from the Big Ten, SEC and ACC coveted Knueppel — including Wisconsin and Marquette — but, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer won out.
Playing in every game his freshman season, Knueppel helped his team to a 35-4 record. He averaged 14.4 points per game, shooting 47.9% from the field, 40.6% from three-point range and 91.4% at the free-throw line.
During the NBA Draft on June 25, Knueppel was selected by the Hornets as the No. 4 pick. Knueppel is the highest pick for a Wisconsin native in the modern era.
Basketball is in Knueppel’s blood. His mom, Chari Nordgaard Knueppel, is the all-time leading scorer at UW-Green Bay. His dad, also Kon, scored more than 2,000 points at Wisconsin Lutheran College. His uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, played at UW-Green Bay and appeared in 13 games for the Milwaukee Bucks.
And Kon’s four younger brothers seem to be following in the family’s footsteps.
More about Charlie Berens
Berens, who grew up in Elm Grove and New Berlin, is a comedian, New York Times best-selling author and Emmy Award-winning journalist.
He’s well-known for his hilarious videos about all things life in the Midwest. He also wrote “The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink and Eat … Everything with Ranch,” hosts “The Cripescast Podcast” and has several other endeavors, including Berens Old Fashioned Brandy.
In the “Green and Gold” movie, which played in theaters earlier this year, Berens portrayed a radio host on a Door County station.
In a JS interview this year, Berens shared that he filmed a standup special.
He has a slew of shows coming up in Wisconsin in September. And, in November, he’ll be hitting the road for “The Lost & Found Tour.” More information, including dates and locations can be found here.