The 2025 NBA Draft is set for Wednesday, June 25. That’s when the top picks will be selected and begin their careers in a new city.
On Monday, Gilbert McGregor of The Sporting News released his final NBA Mock Draft, and Duke guard Kon Knueppel appears to be rising up the big board.
It’s widely known that Cooper Flagg, Knueppel’s teammate at Duke, is expected to be the top pick in the draft. The 18-year-old is projected to become a Dallas Maverick.
Next, it appears Dylan Harper of Rutgers will head to the San Antonio Spurs and get a chance to play alongside De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama.
MORE: How Kon Knueppel proved his standing as a lottery pick at Duke
The third pick is where the surprises may begin, as the Philadelphia 76ers are projected to select VJ Edgecombe from Baylor. Philadelphia loves his athleticism, scoring ability, and versatility on defense.
At No. 4, the Charlotte Hornets are on the clock. Charlotte, a team that has struggled to strike the right balance in its rebuild, is expected to select Knueppel. McGregor explains why the Hornets value him so highly:
“Knueppel’s been a riser in this class, and for good reason. He’s an elite shooter with the ability to create for himself and others off the bounce as well. Given the current state of the Hornets franchise, they need to take a known commodity capable of making a Day 1 impact. With Knueppel, Charlotte knows exactly who they’re getting, and his shooting could pop alongside the playmaking of LaMelo Ball—provided he stays healthy.”
The 19-year-old was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in 2024 while playing at Wisconsin Lutheran. After participating in the Jordan Brand Classic, he enrolled at Duke, where he earned ACC All-Freshman honors and was named to the All-ACC Second Team. He was also chosen as the ACC Tournament MVP following an injury to Cooper Flagg.
In his lone season at Duke, Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
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