Imagine what just happened yesterday that gave the whole world the topic of Duke University’s men’s basketball team is buzzing with excitement after Knueppel’s impressive performance in the 2025 NBA draft. Knueppel, a former Blue Devil, was selected fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets, joining fellow rookies Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach, who were also picked in the top ten.
Knueppel’s journey is a testament to the Duke program’s ability to elevate talent. Initially ranked 18th overall and fifth among small forwards in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Knueppel outperformed expectations. He averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from three. His standout moment came when he led the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament Championship and earned MVP honors after Cooper Flagg’s injury.
This achievement may spark Duke’s next recruiting wave, as Knueppel’s rise proves that prospects can boost their stock under Coach Jon Scheyer. Scheyer has already sealed the No. 1 overall recruiting class nationally in two of his three seasons as Duke’s head coach.
Other freshmen are making waves on the team, too. Maliq Brown, a rising senior, recently praised Dame Sarr, a 6’7″ Italian guard who played professionally with FC Barcelona before joining Duke. Sarr’s impressive stats in the Euro League and Liga ACB have him in the mix for a starting spot. Brown noted Sarr’s wingspan, length, and feel for the game as key assets that will benefit the team.
Meanwhile, Cam Reddish, a former Duke star, remains unsigned in the NBA free agency period that started four days ago. Despite his inconsistent professional career, Reddish’s talent and experience make him an attractive candidate for teams looking to bolster their rosters .
