MILWAUKEE — Former Wisconsin Lutheran High School star Kon Knueppel was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
What You Need To Know
Knueppel is the seventh Wisconsin high school graduate to be taken in the top 10 in the NBA Draft
He was drafted No. 4 by the Charlotte Hornets after his freshman year in college at Duke
Knueppel becomes the the highest drafted player in state history
Ryan Walz led the Vikings to back-to-back state titles with the help of Kon and his brothers
He becomes the highest drafted player in state history ahead of Wauwatosa East’s Devin Harris and just the seventh ever taken in the top 10 in NBA Draft history. The school hosted a party to celebrate one of their own.
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Those in attendance included friends, former coaches and other members of the Wisconsin Lutheran community. Ahead of the draft, Knueppel prepared a special message to everyone who showed up.
“I’m hoping that…with you guys being here tonight, you’ll be willing to support me further as I enter the next step in my career as an NBA player,” said Knueppel. “Thanks again for being here, I appreciate you guys.”
(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)
Knueppel’s former high school basketball coach, Ryan Walz, watched at a distance as he witnessed history for his program. With the selection, Knueppel became the first NBA player he’s ever coached.
“This is a unique thing, a lot of gratitude for this,” said Walz. “Who knows if this is ever going to happen again, so we’re going to enjoy it while we can.”
(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)
Knueppel broke Wisconsin Lutheran’s all-time scoring record that Flavian Davis held for 15 years. As a former pro basketball player himself, Davis offered some advice to the young budding star.
“Stay you, man. I know when you walk into that NBA locker room, there are a bunch of different things that can get to you,” said Davis. “Just stay levelheaded, stay true to God, stay with what got you there.”
Walz has led the Vikings to back-to back state titles, one of which was with Knueppel, and then this past year they won with two of Kon’s brothers. Walz said his former player can help the Hornets immediately in a variety of ways.
“Kon is a winner first and foremost. So, wherever he goes, whatever program he was going to end up with, his number one goal is going to be to win and make winning plays,” said Walz. “He’s just a super competitive kid, but I think anybody who’s seen him play knows that he has a very high level of skill offensively and again, that translates to any level of basketball.”