Kon II Knueppel Bio
Kon II Knueppel is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils and was selected fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Hornets. Known for his exceptional three-point shooting, Knueppel set multiple NBA rookie records during his first professional season. He became the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in three-pointers made in a season.
Early Life and Background
Kon II Knueppel was born on August 3, 2005, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School, where he developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. His father, also named Kon, played college basketball at Wisconsin Lutheran College and became the school’s all-time leading scorer until 2019. His mother, Chari Nordgaard, played at Wisconsin-Green Bay and was the school’s leading scorer. Knueppel’s uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, also played at Wisconsin-Green Bay and went on to play in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks before a professional career in Europe.
Knueppel grew up immersed in basketball. His father and uncles competed together in the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament as a team called the “Flying Knueppel Brothers.” Knueppel is the oldest of five brothers, whose names are Kager, Kinston, Kash, and Kidman. He attended grade school and church at St. John’s Lutheran of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and has spoken publicly about his Christian faith.
Path to Professional Basketball
Knueppel emerged as a highly decorated high school player at Wisconsin Lutheran. As a freshman, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His junior year saw him average 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. During his senior season, Knueppel elevated his performance to 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, earning him Wisconsin Mr. Basketball honors in 2024.
His senior campaign culminated in leading Wisconsin Lutheran to a 30-0 record and the 2024 Boys Basketball Division 2 State Championship. Rated as a five-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals, Knueppel received scholarship offers from numerous major programs. He ultimately committed to Duke University, signing his National Letter of Intent on November 15, 2023. He chose the Blue Devils over Alabama, Virginia, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Marquette, and USC, among others.
Kon II Knueppel Career
Duke Blue Devils (2024–2025)
Knueppel enrolled at Duke University in June 2024 to participate in the Blue Devils’ summer practices. He made his college debut on November 4, 2024, in the season opener against Maine, scoring 22 points with four rebounds in a 96-62 victory. His strong start continued, as he earned Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honors on November 11, 2024, after averaging 18.5 points, three rebounds, and two assists per game.
Throughout his freshman season, Knueppel demonstrated consistent scoring ability with several notable performances. He scored 25 points against Miami on January 14, 2025, and added 22 points in a victory over arch-rival North Carolina on February 1, 2025. His versatility showed through games like a 15-point, 8-rebound effort against Wake Forest and a 20-point performance against Miami in February. On March 15, 2025, Knueppel delivered a championship-clinching performance in the ACC Tournament final, recording 18 points and 8 rebounds in Duke’s 73-62 victory over Louisville. He was named ACC Tournament MVP for his efforts. Knueppel earned Second-team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors at the conclusion of the season.
Charlotte Hornets (2025–Present)
Knueppel’s professional career began when the Charlotte Hornets selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, leading the Hornets to the 2025 NBA Summer League Championship. Knueppel was awarded Summer League Championship MVP after scoring 21 points with five rebounds and two assists in an 83-78 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
He made his NBA regular-season debut on October 22, 2025, recording 11 points and five rebounds in a 136-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Knueppel’s rookie season featured a string of impressive performances, including a 30-point game against the Miami Heat that earned him his first nomination for Eastern Conference Player of the Week on November 9, 2025. He followed with a near triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
On November 14, 2025, Knueppel scored a then-career-high 32 points in a 147-134 overtime loss to his hometown Milwaukee Bucks, hitting two late three-pointers to force overtime. His second Eastern Conference Player of the Week nomination came on November 23 after he averaged over 26.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and three assists over four games. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November, ahead of teammate Ryan Kalkbrenner and Philadelphia’s V. J. Edgecombe.
Driving Style and Strengths
Knueppel’s defining skill is his three-point shooting, which translated exceptionally well to the NBA level. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots from beyond the arc became a cornerstone of the Hornets’ offensive strategy. His quick release and range made him a constant threat, while his basketball IQ allowed him to contribute in multiple facets including rebounding and playmaking.
Notable Events and Milestones
Knueppel set multiple NBA rookie records during the 2025-26 season. On November 19, 2025, he became the fastest NBA player to make 50 three-point shots, accomplishing the feat in just his 15th career game. He continued breaking records, reaching 100 career three-pointers in just 29 games on December 22, surpassing Lauri Markkanen’s previous record by 12 games. On January 29, 2026, he scored a career-high 34 points with eight three-pointers in a 123-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks, setting a Hornets franchise record for most three-pointers made by a rookie in a single game.
Kon II Knueppel Career Wins
Knueppel established himself as one of the most accomplished rookies in recent NBA history with a collection of individual honors and team achievements across his basketball career.
NBA Highlights
Knueppel’s rookie season culminated in several major accomplishments. He became the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in three-pointers made, finishing with 273 made three-pointers. He and his teammate LaMelo Ball became the first duo since Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to each have 270 or more three-pointers made in a season. Knueppel also surpassed Keegan Murray’s record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie in a season and broke Kemba Walker’s franchise record for the most three-pointers in a single season in Hornets history. He finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year voting and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2026.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to his NBA career, Knueppel led Wisconsin Lutheran to an undefeated 30-0 season and a Division 2 State Championship in 2024. He won the ACC Tournament Championship with Duke in 2025 and was named the tournament’s MVP. He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic in 2024 as a high school senior.
Kon II Knueppel Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Knueppel comes from a basketball family with deep roots in Wisconsin. His father, Kon Knueppel Sr., played at Wisconsin Lutheran College and remains the school’s all-time leading scorer. His mother, Chari Nordgaard, was the leading scorer at Wisconsin-Green Bay. His uncle Jeff Nordgaard played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks and in Europe. One of Knueppel’s uncles, Kole, is now a college football referee in the Big Ten Conference.
Personal Life
Knueppel is a Christian and grew up attending St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa. He is the oldest of five brothers. During the Hornets’ first road trip to Milwaukee during his rookie season, Knueppel and his family hosted the entire Charlotte team for dinner at his childhood home.
2025 Season Performance
Knueppel’s rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets exceeded expectations from the outset. After a strong Summer League performance that earned him MVP honors, he seamlessly transitioned to NBA play. His early-season form drew attention league-wide, earning him Eastern Conference Player of the Week nominations. The Hornets benefited from his floor-spacing ability alongside star guard LaMelo Ball, with the two forming a potent backcourt combination.
As the season progressed, Knueppel’s three-point shooting records drew national attention. His rapid pace of breaking long-standing NBA records demonstrated both his exceptional talent and his readiness for professional basketball. The Hornets’ confidence in their rookie translated into meaningful minutes and a significant role from day one. His performance level and durability positioned him as a cornerstone piece for the franchise’s future.