The NBA Rookie of the Year could be a Duke Blue Devils star not named Cooper Flagg.

That’s how good Kon Knueppel is playing for the Charlotte Hornets.

And in the process, Knueppel is threatening a remarkable NBA record.

Magic Johnson currently holds the record for true shooting percentage in a rookie season by a non-big, at 60%.

Knueppel is true shooting 61% right now.

Highest true shooting percentage by rookie non-bigs in NBA history:

1. Kon Knueppel 61%

2. Magic Johnson 60%

— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) December 5, 2025

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True shooting percentage accounts for the fact that 3-pointers are more valuable than 2-pointers.

Knueppel is shooting 40.7% from 3-point range on strong volume.

Overall, the 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

He’s been everything the Hornets hoped for and more when they chose him No. 4 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

If he keeps shooting like this, Knueppel will have an incredible NBA career.

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