The first wave of green-room invites for the 2025 NBA Draft were sent out on Tuesday, with 13 prospects receiving their invitations.
The list was headlined by projected top pick Cooper Flagg of Duke and rounded out by his Blue Devils teammate Kon Knueppel.
As the draft’s green room becomes a showcase for players most likely to hear their names called in the first round, Knueppel’s inclusion alongside generational talents underscores his rise from underrated freshman to one of the draft’s most intriguing two-way wings.
Various mock drafts suggest Knueppel could hear his name called anywhere from No. 4 with the Charlotte Hornets to No. 10 with the Houston Rockets.
A 6-foot-7, 217-pound freshman from Milwaukee, Knueppel arrived on campus in the shadow of Duke’s higher-profile recruits, yet quickly carved out a critical role in a stacked rotation.
In his 39 starts this season, he averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 47.9% overall and 40.6% from 3-point range.
His efficiency exploded in the postseason, where he posted an astonishing 55.6/53.7/91.3 shooting split during Duke’s NCAA Tournament run.
Knueppel earned second team All-ACC selection, ACC All-Freshman honors and won ACC Tournament MVP.
Duke Blue Devils stars Cooper Flagg (2) and Kon Knueppel (7).
Duke Blue Devils stars Cooper Flagg (2) and Kon Knueppel (7).
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Before Duke, Knueppel was a decorated prep star at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, earning Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year and Wisconsin Mr. Basketball honors after averaging 25.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game as a senior.
An invite to the draft green room is no guarantee of a lottery selection, but it is a strong vote of confidence.
Teams vote on the top 25 players they expect to go in the first round, and being among the initial 13 signifies broad league belief in Knueppel’s upside.