Duke guard Kon Knueppel celebrates after scoring against North Carolina during the first half...
Duke guard Kon Knueppel celebrates after scoring against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - With two key starters of Sion James and Liam McNeeley out for the Charlotte Hornets’ summer league matchup vs. the Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee-native Kon Knueppel stepped up to the plate.
The forward ended the night with 16 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field, with 10 rebounds and four assists in Charlotte’s 87-69 win over Dallas on Monday night.
Knueppel, a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran High School, attended Duke University where he played one season under Jon Scheyer. He ended the 2025 season with All-ACC Second Team honors, along with being selected to the ACC All-Rookie Team.
The freshman started all 39 games for the Blue Devils, which tied the program’s single season record by a rookie. Duke went far in the postseason, notably winning the ACC Championship.
Knueppel was named as the Most Valuable Player in the tournament after averaging 21 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He was also selected to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament team.
Duke guard Kon Knueppel (7) drives against North Carolina forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22), guard...
Duke guard Kon Knueppel (7) drives against North Carolina forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22), guard RJ Davis (4) and guard Elliot Cadeau, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
The Wisconsinite committed to Duke as a five-star prospect, ranking 16th nationally. Knueppel was named as the 2023-24 Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year after averaging 25.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
Most notably, he led Wisconsin Lutheran to a state championship and a 30-0 record.
You can next catch Knueppel in action on Thursday at 6 p.m., when they face the San Antonio Spurs back at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2025 WMTV. All rights reserved.