As of today, the Utah Jazz are the worst team in the NBA. The furthest the Jazz can fall in the 2025 NBA Draft is only to pick 5, which is fantastic. However, pick 5 is where the draft starts. In no particular order, the top 4 players that will likely go first are Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, then it’s a level playing field with the likes of Tre Johnson, Asa Newell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Derik Queen, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, and Collin Murray-Boyles (again in no particular order). There is a chance that one of these players could end up on the Jazz if they were to fall to pick 5 or if by some miracle, they fall all the way down to the Jazz-owned Wolves’ pick which is currently slotted at pick 20. Today we are going to focus on two of the best guards in college basketball, Duke’s Kon Knueppel and the Sooners’ Jeremiah Fears. Two guards that are almost completely opposite of the other yet still could impact the Jazz in a variety of ways.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 15 ACC Tournament Louisville vs Duke Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kon Knueppel: Guard/Wing - Duke Blue Devils
Listed Height: 6’7
Draft Day Age: 19
Pro Comparison: Desmond Bane / Eric Gordon (30+ yo) / Shelvin Mack
Stats: 14.2 PPG | 3.9 RPG | 2.7 APG | 1.0 SPG | 47.1% FG | 40.2% 3FG | 91% FT
Kon Knueppel, widely known as Cooper Flagg’s counterpart, is much more than your prototypical white-boy shooter and has proved it again this past week. The NCAA just held its conference tournaments where Duke was without Cooper Flagg for the majority of the ACC Tournament due to an unfortunate sprained ankle that he suffered in the ACC Quarterfinals against Georgia Tech where he had to be wheeled out on a wheelchair to get it looked at (he’s fine, news outlets say). Leaving his teammates to fend for themselves for the rest of the tournament and down to Georgia Tech, Kon Knueppel led the team to a win where he dropped 28 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block on 55% FG and only knocked down 2 threes the entire game. He followed it up with a 17-point performance in the ACC Semifinals and then an 18-point outing in the ACC Finals, ultimately being awarded and named ACC Tournament MVP.
Kon Knueppel Took over with out Cooper Flagg in a win for Duke vs Georgia Tech Today in the ACC Tournament..
28 PTS (7-14 FG, 2-6 3PT, 12-13 FTs)
8 AST
5 REBS
2 STLS
1 BLK
Are we seeing a projected lottery pick talent here?? pic.twitter.com/PHkBUm1Yxb
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 13, 2025
Offensive Game:
From the moment Kon Knueppel arrived at Duke, expectations were high for the highly touted freshman out of Wisconsin. A well-built, skilled wing with a reputation as a lethal shooter, Kon was expected to provide immediate floor spacing for the Blue Devils. Before the season started, I was worried that he would not crack the rotation because of how stacked Duke’s roster was with incoming freshman Cooper Flagg, Darren Harris, and Isaiah Evans along with returning/transferring guards such as Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, and Sion James, those worries were immediately shut down as media outlets came out and said:
Kon Knueppel was the best player on the floor for Duke — and it wasn’t particularly close — while helping his team win all three scrimmages. Duke’s staff has been raving about Knueppel since he committed in September 2023, and especially since arriving on campus in June, and their praise seemed understated seeing the impact he made on both ends of the floor. Knueppel already looks like he might be one of the best shooters in the ACC from Day 1. His NBA intrigue is going to revolve around his ability to spot up and shoot pull-up 3s like he did all afternoon with balance footwork and confidence (ESPN, 2024)
Even with all of that being said, early in the season he found himself in a somewhat limited role — stationed primarily as an off-ball shooter in a Duke offense that revolved around freshman sensation Cooper Flagg.
It wasn’t until later in the season that Kon began to show the full range of his offensive arsenal. It was more towards January when he wasn’t just a spot-up shooter or secondary ball handler; he had evolved/leaned into being a legitimate offensive engine — one that was given more opportunities to initiate offense, create for himself and others, and take over stretches of games that weren't apparent outside of flashes in his few months at Duke. Early in the year one of Duke’s best duos was the Kon-Maluach pick-and-roll yet they only ran it maybe twice a game, so it was very nice to see the ball find itself in Kon’s hands more.
Khaman Maluach has 50 dunks so far this season, 9 of which have come from Kon Knueppel alley-oop lobs.
Their synergy in ball screens, dunk or no dunk, has been awesome. It’s why teams will be excited to pair Maluach with a playmaker in NBA spacing. But it also highlights how… pic.twitter.com/Hi0ekWn6sQ
— NBA Draft Dude (@CoreyTulaba) February 25, 2025
The foundation of Kon’s game is his shooting, and a few players in college basketball possess his level of efficiency and versatility as a shotmaker. His shooting numbers tell a story of both skill and difficulty — he connected on 46% of his non-rim 2PT shots, a very high number considering that only 10% of those makes were assisted on. That means Kon isn’t just benefiting from catch-and-shoot looks; he is actively creating these shots himself, often off the dribble, using footwork, strength, and touch to carve out scoring opportunities — very similar to what he did at the high school level.
Did you know that Kon Knueppel could join Tyler Herro as the only player drafted to shoot a career 90+ FT% dating back to 2008?
Despite not being the most explosive athlete, Kon is deceptively slippery with the ball in his hands. His creativity and craft to get players biting opens up space for either a pull-up jumper or a drive whether that be by reading a close-out correctly or making the defenders bite on a pump fake at the rim. His snake dribble allows him to navigate tight spaces in the mid-range, and while he doesn’t have a blazing first step, his combination of strength and balance allows him to hold off defenders and dictate the tempo of possessions. He is probably not one to attack off an isolation and instead uses screens often to get a good look for himself or create for his teammates.
One of the biggest developments in his game has been his ability to get to the free-throw line. At the high school level, he was already a smart foul-drawer, but in college, it took time for that part of his game to translate — likely due to the structured, role-regulated system he was in early on at Duke. By midseason, however, he had figured out how to leverage his physicality, footwork, and deception to force defenders into tough situations, leading to more trips to the line.
Kon FT rate in 2024: 18.8
Kon FT rate in 2025: 38.8 - a 20% increase!
This growth as a foul-drawer, combined with his already elite shooting, has made him even more dangerous. When defenders close out too aggressively, he punishes them with head fakes and strong drives into contact. When they play him too tightly on the perimeter, he uses his underrated handle and his Wisconsin farm-boy-like strength to get to his spots inside the arc, and if they sag off, he has no hesitation in pulling up from deep.
Kon’s passing isn’t necessarily flashy, but it’s highly effective. He consistently makes the right reads, rarely forces bad decisions, and understands spacing at a level beyond most players his age. His ability to manipulate defenses with his eyes and body language adds another layer to his offensive game, and as he continues to refine his playmaking, he could become an even more valuable on-ball creator at the next level.
I feel like I have done a lot of talking on what Kon can do on the ball, which actually surprises me how much there really is in his game, but off the ball he is somebody that you can’t leave open, ever. Kon is a guy who can score 12 PPG in the league just from operating off the ball, whether that be off curls, floppy actions, or simply just being put on the 3PT line, he will get a lot of good looks in the league. Not to mention that the gravity Kon will carry will eventually lead to generating more space for your teammates and stars to work.
When evaluating Kon’s game, you may see some Desmond Bane, Eric Gordon (more of a modern-day EG), or Shelvin Mack in him — strong, skilled guards who can shoot, create, and play with physicality. Like them, Kon isn’t a speedster, but he makes up for it with his BBIQ and ancillary skills. He is already a polished offensive player, one who can score at all three levels and makes plays within the flow of an offense.
I believe there is some hidden juice in Kon’s game and that he could be an engine or motor for teams at the next level. He may not be the number one, two, or maybe even three options (not saying it’s out of the realm of possibility) on a championship team but I believe that he has shown enough production and skills that make him one of the safest bets in the entire 2025 NBA Draft to become a serviceable NBA player.
Defensive Game:
Shifting gears to Kon Knueppel’s defensive game there is a lot to love, and his defensive contributions should not be overlooked. At 6’7 with a strong frame, Kon has the size to defend the 2 and the 3, and while he isn’t the quickest laterally, he makes up for it with a combination of instincts, effort, and toughness.
Kon is actually pretty solid at staying in front of his man. Again, he’s not the most explosive athlete but he has a disciplined stance and doesn’t bite on unnecessary movements. He plays within himself, using his strength to hold his ground and length to contest shots effectively. His ability to read the ball handler and anticipate changes in direction allows him to cut off driving lanes without reaching or getting off balance. Off the ball, Knueppel is an active and intelligent defender, particularly when it comes to reading the passing lanes. His BBIQ translates to his defensive awareness — he recognizes when to rotate, when to jump a pass, and when to stay home. While he is not a high-volume steals guy, he disrupts possessions by making smart reads and positioning himself in ways that force turnovers.
Perhaps most importantly, Kon plays with an unrelenting motor. He’s the type of defender who dives for loose balls, fights for rebounds, and embraces physicality. There’s a hard-nosed toughness to his game that makes him a high-effort presence on the defensive end, and I think he is someone that Will Hardy and Jazz fans would absolutely adore.
Kon Knueppel is no joke and the idea of him on this Jazz team is something that excites me a lot actually. He is one of the hardest-working players in this entire draft and is tough as nails. This kid has always been a winner, and I have no doubts that he will continue to be a productive player wherever he is.
Oklahoma Sooners v Georgia Bulldogs Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Jeremiah Fears: Guard - Oklahoma Sooners
Listed Height: 6’4
Draft Day Age: 18
Pro Comparison: Kemba Walker / De’Aaron Fox / Spencer Dinwiddie / Keyonte George / George Hill / DJ Augustin / CJ McCollum / Jerian Grant / Devonte’ Graham
Stats: 17 PPG | 4.1 APG | 4.1 RPG | 1.6 SPG | 3.5 TO | 43.6% FG | 27.5% 3FG | 84.5% FT
Jeremiah Fears introduced himself to the NCAA early leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a 13-0 start as a freshman on a team full of college veterans. In one of those games, down by 3, he scored a game-winning 4-point play vs the Michigan Wolverines (a top 25 team) where he scored 30 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. Fears has been quite streaky throughout the year, but at his age and playing in the toughest conference college basketball has seen in decades, it’s probably normal to be streaky as an 18-year-old kid who should be in HS (he reclassified as Cooper Flagg did). The percentages are iffy and can be considered as a red flag to evaluators, but for me I think he is one of the most talented guards in the class.
6’4 Freshman Jeremiah Fears vs Michigan tonight in a Big W..
30 PTS (8-12 FG, 3-4 3PT, 11-13 FTs)
4 AST
3 REBS
1 STL
How we feelin about bro? Where he falling on our FV mock RN??? pic.twitter.com/VY52Oge7Lr
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) December 19, 2024
Jeremiah Fears is an explosive player who thrives in high-paced situations and is known for his ability to break down defenses in a plethora of ways. His skill set is well-rounded, and he has a natural feel for creating opportunities — not only for himself but also for his teammates.
One of Fears’ most notable strengths is his ability to penetrate the defense. He has a quick first step that allows him to blow by defenders and get to the rim at will. His ball-handling is incredibly shifty, using a series of crossovers, hesitations, and his signature snake dribble to keep defenders off balance. Fears knows how to use his change of pace to perfection — he’ll shift gears from slow to fast, freezing defenders just long enough to create space for a blow-by or pull-up jumper. He’s also a master at splitting double teams, navigating tight spaces, and using his body to shield the ball. This ability to navigate through aggressive defenses makes him a constant threat, and defenders never have a chance to relax when he has the ball.
Once Fears gets into the lane, he’s a dangerous finisher. He has the craftiness to finish effectively and is skilled at adjusting his shot in midair to avoid shot blockers. His ability to finish through contact could be better because sometimes I feel like he is praying for a whistle, which he gets a lot of the time. Drawing fouls has become one of his specialties, and he does a great job of turning aggressive defense into free-throw attempts — largely due to how quick and shifty he is.
In addition to his finishing, Fears is highly effective in the pick-and-roll. His ability to control the pace of a possession and manipulate defenders off screens is a key part of his game. When running the PnR, he does an excellent job of keeping the defender on his hip, using his speed to get downhill and either finishing at the rim, finding a shot in the mid-range, or finding an open teammate. He’s gotten better as the season progressed in terms of his ability to read defenses; teams have been more aggressive with him since the year started as he has become the No. 1 guy to stop on opposing teams scouting reports, so he has seen all types of coverages and I would say he’s handled it as well as you would expect from an 18-year-old guard in the toughest conference in college basketball.
For me, Fears is an insanely talented guard. Though he may be underdeveloped physically he has the productivity and positive indicators to show that he has a chance to become a high-level scorer in the league if everything works out perfectly. Players with Fears’ archetype come and go and have a smaller hit rate due to the physicality and how brutal the NBA is — hence why I have a bajillion NBA player comparisons for him — so with a smaller hit rate I think that is something to consider, but knowing that Jeremiah Fears isn’t afraid of contact and has that “go get it”/scorer mentality at such a young age it’s hard to gauge if he’s Trey Burke or if he is actually Kemba Walker.
Maybe where we look at is in the athleticism indicators:
Jeremiah Fears Athleticism Indicators
Barttorvik.com
Here we have a list of players at the same height/age with similar athleticism indicators to Jeremiah Fears using his rebounding numbers, defensive numbers (steal% + block%), and guards with over 5 dunks. Quite the arrangement of players here, but most of them are first-round picks with the exception of Ryan Rollins, and with Fears being a projected FRP let alone a lottery pick, it increases the opportunity that Fears is going to get in the league. A couple of names catch my eye, obviously the previously mentioned De’Aaron Fox, but also Dejounte Murray and Terry Rozier. If Fears can be the defender those guys are then I would be extremely happy taking Jeremiah Fears. It would be unfortunate if he turned into a Blake Wesley type of player, but it is safe to say that his shooting indicators are much better and lean more toward the other guys mentioned.
Let’s take a look at his shooting & shot volume numbers:
Fears’ Shot Volume and % Comp
Barttorvik.com
This query blew me away just now, I did not expect to see Jordan Clarkson’s name pop up at all. Using Jeremiah Fears’ 3PT% & volume, FT rate (how often he gets to the line) & FT %, and attempts at the rim, he found himself being compared to Jordan Clarkson offensively. You know, that’s probably not the worst comparison for him on that side of the ball either. There are some differences here, Fears is a freshman whereas Jordan Clarkson is a Junior, not to mention the gap on the defensive side of the basketball.
I feel like we can take a bit of both queries and get a good idea of what Fears has a chance to be in the league, a quick and shifty shot-taker who isn’t a liability on the defensive side of the basketball. I do feel like Terry Rozier is a solid comparison for Fears.
Here are some Jordan Clarkson college highlights at Missouri just for fun!
Does Fears fit with the Utah Jazz roster? The Utah Jazz have a lot of guards on the roster who like to dominate the basketball and aren’t quite the greatest defenders in the world, so I am not sure if taking a swing on Jeremiah Fears would be in our best interest. If Fears falls to us with the Wolves’ pick at 20 then I would definitely consider taking the swing on him, however, I do feel like the Jazz have some needs that they should prioritize before taking another swing pick with a late first — despite the Jazz finding recent success with their later picks from the last draft class.