There’s a saying in sports: work until your idols become your rivals. And for the 2025 NBA draft class, that moment is just around the corner.
As these young prospects get ready to step onto the court with the very players they grew up watching, it’s all starting to feel real. For Duke standout Kon Knueppel, that realization came with a name that towers above the rest — LeBron James. And ahead of his rookie season, Knueppel made a candid admission that fans are sure to remember.
In an interview, the 19-year-old was asked who he was looking forward to playing against the most. To this, the former Blue Devil replied, saying, "LeBron for sure, watched him my whole life. So that would be insane."
Just over a year ago, Kon Knueppel II was leading Wisconsin Lutheran High to a state championship and earning the title of Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin. Now, he’s officially in the NBA. The 6-foot-7 wing was selected No. 4 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft, making him the highest-drafted Wisconsin native in the modern era.
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kon Knueppel shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fourth pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center
Kon Knueppel shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fourth pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After a standout freshman season at Duke on a team loaded with talent, including No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, Knueppel proved he belonged in the lottery conversation. His shooting numbers were elite: 47.9% from the field, 40.6% from deep and 91.4% from the line, just shy of a 50-40-90 season.
But he wasn’t just a shooter as he showed real playmaking skills, averaging 2.7 assists while running pick-and-rolls with 7-foot-1 big man Khaman Maluach. With a versatile game and high basketball IQ, Knueppel looks ready to thrive in the league.