CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Charlotte Hornets) - The NBA announced today that Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel has been named Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of Month for January.
Knueppel led all rookies in total points (302), field goals made (105), 3-pointers made (45) and free throws made (47) and ranked fourth among all rookies in rebounds (101) and assists (62) last month and led the East in points per game (17.8) and ranked third among qualified rookies in 3-point percentage (41.7%). Knueppel became the third rookie in franchise history to record 300-plus points and 100-plus rebounds in a calendar month, joining Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning. It is only the second time this season a rookie has scored 300-plus points in a single month.
The Duke product remains in the top 3 league-wide in 3-pointers made (166) this season. Knueppel dropped a career-high 34 points, his fourth 30-point game, broke the Hornets single-game rookie record for 3-pointers made (8), and became the first rookie in NBA history to record 30 points, make 5 3-pointers and commit zero fouls and zero turnovers in a road victory over Dallas (Jan. 29), Charlotte’s fifth win in its current seven-game streak.
Knueppel joins LaMelo Ball, Raymond Felton, Larry Johnson, Brandon Miller and Emeka Okafor as the only players in franchise history to win three Rookie of the Month awards. No rookie in franchise history has earned the award more than three times.
The Hornets will head out on a two-game road trip to Houston and Atlanta with a chance to extend their winning streak to eight games, which would be the franchise’s longest winning streak since the 1998-99 season. Charlotte then returns for a two-game homestand, facing Detroit on Feb. 9 and Atlanta on Feb. 11.
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