Just a month ago during the NBA Draft, the Duke Blue Devils saw three freshmen selected within the first ten picks—a true testament to the remarkable season they had, falling just one game short of a National Championship. When Kon Knueppel was drafted, teammate Cooper Flagg had a wholesome reaction, and Knueppel later revealed that the moment choked him up.
“I got a little choked up when I saw it for the first time. It's really special because it extends beyond him being my teammate; he actually cares for me and wants me to have success,” Knueppel said.
Known for his smooth shooting stroke from beyond the arc, Knueppel admits he doesn’t see himself as the most athletic player. Instead, he relies on different tools to navigate the game—one of which is playing off two feet, something he strongly believes helps level the playing field.
“It evens out the athleticism…I’m not super athletic, so being able to play off two feet..now they have to be ready for a shot fake or a pivot. It kind of evens the playing field,” Knueppel stated.
The NBA Summer League has been underway for some time, and while Knueppel initially struggled, he’s now performing as expected.
In a recent video sent to Knueppel, NBA star Klay Thompson shared a message of encouragement. Thompson expressed his appreciation for Knueppel modeling his game after him and acknowledged the young player's potential to carry on the legacy.
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“Thanks for the words of trying to model your game after me. It makes me feel kind of old, but also very appreciative of great young athletes like yourself who are coming to take over the league and carry on the torch,” Thompson said.
Knueppel is still a few months away from making his NBA debut, but he’s already receiving a strong endorsement from one of the game's elite. Thompson's words suggest he believes Knueppel could become a major presence in the league—perhaps even one of its future faces.