{"id":604329,"date":"2026-02-15T09:32:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T09:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/604329\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T09:32:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T09:32:39","slug":"hornets-kon-knueppel-embraces-all-star-weekend-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/604329\/","title":{"rendered":"Hornets\u2019 Kon Knueppel embraces All-Star weekend challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just for a brief second, given the hectic schedule that\u2019s become a daily routine, Kon Knueppel<\/a> takes a minute to reflect on a journey that\u2019s probably felt like it\u2019s happened at warp speed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s cool,\u201d the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> rookie told The Charlotte Observer. \u201cDefinitely a blessing to be able to get to do some really cool stuff. Basketball\u2019s taken me a long way and I think it\u2019s (about) not taking these moments for granted. Pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knueppel will be a pretty busy guy during NBA All-Star weekend.<\/p>\n

Despite jumping on a plane for an early-morning flight Thursday not long after Wednesday night\u2019s win over the Atlanta Hawks at Spectrum Center, he won\u2019t have much of an opportunity to soak up the Southern California sunshine. He\u2019ll start things off by being a part of the NBA\u2019s All-Star Tech Summit, which will feature former President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel is presented with the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for January at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com <\/p>\n

Along with participating in the Rising Stars event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Friday as a member of Team T-Mac coached by Tracy McGrady, Knueppel will be on Team Duke with Jalen Johnson and Corey Maggette in the Shooting Stars challenge on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Throw in competing in the 3-point contest, and he\u2019s hit the trifecta as a rookie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s cool,\u201d Knueppel said. \u201cThey asked me to do it. When they asked me to do it, it was [an] immediate, \u2018Yes.\u2019 I think it\u2019s a cool opportunity, something I\u2019ve done before at different levels. So, it\u2019ll be cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

And nothing outside what he\u2019s already shown in his short tenure in the NBA.<\/p>\n

Winner of three consecutive Eastern Conference rookie of the month awards to begin his career, Knueppel is the fastest player to record 100 career 3-pointers made, accomplishing the feat in 29 games.<\/p>\n

The 183 shots he\u2019s knocked down beyond the arc are second in the NBA only to Cleveland\u2019s Donovan Mitchell, who\u2019s merely two makes ahead of Knueppel.<\/p>\n

Still, that doesn\u2019t mean those numbers will transfer over to the 3-point contest. In becoming the sixth member of the franchise to suit up in the event and first since Devonte\u2019 Graham in 2020, he\u2019s fully aware of the difficulties that will be presented.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the rack,\u201d Knueppel said. \u201cShooting off the rack\u2019s different than a normal one little shot or a pass from a teammate.<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel, left, looks to pass as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray applies defensive pressure during action at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com <\/p>\n

\u201cI just think you\u2019re going to miss a couple, so not dwelling on a miss is important. Just keep shooting them. And obviously the time concept as well. You\u2019ve got to keep your pace a little.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Shooting Stars event boasts a two-round format. Four teams compete in the first round, with the top two advancing to the final round.<\/p>\n

With the teams competing one at a time, each will have 1:10 to score points while rotating through seven shooting locations on the court. The team with the higher score in the final round is crowned champion.<\/p>\n

Knueppel is hoping the Blue Devils\u2019 contingent emerges victorious.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be cool,\u201d Knueppel said. \u201cI\u2019m not really sure about the format, haven\u2019t paid much attention to that yet. But that\u2019ll be good to get out there and play a little game.\u201d<\/p>\n

This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Roderick Boone<\/a><\/p>\n

The Charlotte Observer<\/p>\n

Roderick Boone joined the Observer in September 2021 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and NBA. In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he\u2019s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. The Long Island native has deep North Carolina roots and enjoys watching \u201cThe Fresh Prince of Bel Air\u201d endlessly.
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