The Duke Blue Devils are celebrating the Dallas Mavericks winning the No. 1 overall pick, due to the fact that Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be that pick. Barring a massive unforeseen change, Flagg will be joining Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis on the Mavericks. However, there is another player Duke is pushing to get drafted early in the form of fellow freshman star Kon Knueppel.
Knueppel was overshadowed by Flagg during the 2024-25 college basketball season. Despite that fact, the Blue Devils would not have made it to the Final Four without him on the floor.
In the 39 games he played during his freshman season, Knueppel averaged 14.4 points per game to go along with four rebounds, 2.7 assists, and a steal. He also shot 47.9 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from the three-point arc.
Following the completion of the draft lottery on Monday night, Duke sent a pointed message to the San Antonio Spurs. Of course, the Spurs jumped up to the No. 2 overall pick.
"You guys should give @Kon2Knueppel a long look at 2 @spurs," the post read.
You guys should give @Kon2Knueppel a long look at 2 @spurs https://t.co/k0nwBPS7PK
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 12, 2025
San Antonio would be a very intriguing NBA destination for Knueppel. With shooting being a premium in the NBA, Knueppel's value could skyrocket.
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Playing alongside Victor Wembanyama could open up the three-point arc for Knueppel. He would also take pressure off of the potential generational superstar by spacing the floor and opening it up.
While the Blue Devils obviously want to see Knueppel go No. 2 overall, there are plenty of other quality players in contention to be the pick for San Antonio. A few other names to watch are Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, Rutgers forward Ace Bailey, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, and Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears.
Only time will tell, but Duke is doing its part in trying to convince the Spurs to take Knueppel at No. 2.