Rookie Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel is reportedly headed to the NBA’s All-Star weekend.
Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Knueppel has accepted an invitation to participate in the 3-point contest.
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Knueppel is the first player known to accept an invitation to the eight-man field. Whoever else joins him, Knueppel projects as a threat to win the contest.
Kon Knueppel is reportedly the first known player to accept an invitation to the NBA 3-point contest.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Knueppel has burst on to the NBA scene since the Hornets selected him with the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft out of Duke. He’s become an instant-impact player for Charlotte while averaging 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He’s shooting 42.5% on 7.8 3-point attempts per game.
His 3.3 made 3s per game are tied for seventh in the NBA. His 42.5% success rate ranks 14th among players with 150 or more attempts. A Hornets team that finished 19-63 last season has already surpassed that win total with a 23-28 record through Tuesday and has a shot at competing for its first playoff berth since 2016.
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The 3-point contest will take place as part of the NBA’s All-Star Saturday showcase alongside the Skills Challenge and the Slam Dunk Contest. All-Star Saturday is scheduled for Feb. 14 and will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. The All-Star game will be played the following day.
NBC will broadcast the NBA’s All-Star weekend for the first time since 2002 in its first season back as a broadcast partner in 24 years.