Kon Knueppel might have been the most unexpected star of Duke’s 2024–25 season—and his rise could have massive implications for Jon Scheyer’s future recruiting.
On NBA Draft night, Knueppel heard his name called as the No. 4 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, joining fellow Blue Devils Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach as top-10 selections in the 2025 NBA Draft. But unlike Flagg and Maluach, Knueppel wasn’t projected to be a lottery pick—or even a surefire one-and-done star—when he arrived in Durham.
Coming out of high school, Knueppel was ranked No. 18 overall and the No. 5 small forward in the class of 2024, per 247Sports Composite Rankings. Within Duke’s own loaded class, he was seen as the fourth-highest recruit, behind Flagg (No. 1), Maluach (No. 4), and Isaiah Evans (No. 13)—all five-star prospects with major national buzz.
But Knueppel wasted no time flipping that narrative.
The 6’7″ wing impressed early in summer workouts and carved out a key role almost immediately once the season tipped off. He quickly proved he wasn’t just a shooter—he was a do-it-all player with NBA-ready skills and a calm, poised presence on the court.
By midseason, Knueppel had emerged as Duke’s second-most impactful freshman behind Flagg. Then came his defining moment.
During the ACC Tournament, when Flagg went down with an injury in Duke’s opening game against Georgia Tech, Knueppel stepped up in the biggest way. Taking over as the team’s offensive leader, he led Duke to the ACC Tournament Championship, earned Tournament MVP honors, and solidified himself as a top-tier draft prospect.
His final college stat line?
14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from three—a remarkably efficient season.
For head coach Jon Scheyer, Knueppel’s story is gold. In just his third season, Scheyer has already locked down the No. 1 recruiting class in the country twice, and Knueppel’s success offers a powerful new pitch:
> You don’t need to be the most hyped recruit to become a star at Duke—you just need to perform.
Now, recruits are taking notice. If Knueppel can rise from the fourth option in a stacked class to a top-five NBA Draft pick, what’s stopping the next under-the-radar talent from doing the same?
