Kon Knueppel’s media availability at NBA draft combine.
Kon Knueppel II had his media availability at the NBA combine in Chicago.
The early returns for former Wisconsin Lutheran High School star Kon Knueppel have been quite strong in his first NBA season, even though the rebuilding Charlotte Hornets bring a 3-7 record into their battle against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
That game tips off at 6 p.m. CST. Two days after their initial meeting, the Hornets will visit Milwaukee for a clash at Fiserv Forum on Nov. 14, and that game will serve as a pool-play game for the NBA Cup.
Here’s what to know about Knueppel:
How many points per game does Kon Knueppel have with the Hornets?
Through 10 games (nine starts), Knueppel has averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He’s shooting a cool 40% from three-point range, 45% from the field and 91% from the free-throw line.
What’s the most Kon Knueppel has scored in a Hornets game?
Knueppel had 30 points in a 126-108 loss to the Miami Heat just five days ago, on Nov. 7. He’s coming off a Nov. 10 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, 121-111, when he just missed his first career triple-double, with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The nine assists were by far a season high; his previous best was five.
Where is Kon Knueppel from?
The 20-year-old was born in Milwaukee and attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School, where he was named Mr. Basketball and led his team to an undefeated season as a senior. He spent one year at Duke University, where he helped the Blue Devils finish 35-4 and reach the Final Four last year. His teammate, of course, was No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, a player the Bucks just faced Nov. 10 in a narrow win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Where was Kon Knueppel drafted?
Knueppel was taken with the fourth overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Hornets. He’s the highest-selected Wisconsin high-school alumnus in the history of the modern NBA draft.
How old is Kon Knueppel?
He just turned 20 years old in early August.
How have other Wisconsin high-school alumni fared in the NBA this season?Tyler Herro (Whitnall) and Tyrese Haliburton (Oshkosh North), both NBA all-stars, have yet to debut this season. Herro underwent surgery on his left foot late in the offseason and hasn’t played yet with the Miami Heat, while Haliburton remains out for the season after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year with the Indiana Pacers.Jalen Johnson (Sun Prairie, Nicolet) is approaching all-star numbers, up to a career-best 20.1 points per game for Atlanta, with 8.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.Brandin Podziemski (St. John’s Northwestern Military Academies) averages 12 points per game and has a 36.4% mark from three-point range with Golden State this year. He’s also averaging 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in a career-high 28.4 minutes.Jordan Poole (Milwaukee King), in his first year with the New Orleans Pelicans, is averaging 17.3 points and 3.4 assists per game, all while playing 30.3 minutes and shooting 34% from distance. Poole won the 2022 NBA title with the Warriors and played for Washington the past two seasons.Kevon Looney (Milwaukee Hamilton), also in his first year with the Pelicans, is playing only 16 minutes per game and averaging 3.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. The 29-year-old won three NBA titles with Golden State.