Charlotte Hornets haven’t had an Olympic level American player in his prime. Dwight Howard does not count as he played in the event long before he became a journeyman and joined them in the 2017-18 season. The same goes for Tyson Chandler.
They might finally have one in Kon Knueppel, at least according to NBA analyst Bill Simmons.
The former Duke University standout was picked fourth overall by the Hornets in the recent NBA draft. He was immediately signed to the tune of a four-year rookie scale contract that reports claimed amount to around $45 million.
The Hornets are investing on Knueppel and Simmons is also invested on his stardom that will eventually earn him a spot in the 2028 Olympics happening in the US soil.
Simmons is not just predicting it. He’s guaranteeing it.
“I’m guaranteeing he will be one of the 12 guys in 2028,” he said in his show.
“He is perfect for international basketball. (He) can play multiple positions, can switch on defense, knows where to go and what to do, like very Derrick Whiteish.”
White of the Boston Celtics who Simmons solidly supports was part of the 2024 Olympics Team in Paris that won the gold medal. He was the perfect role player to support superstars like Lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
Charlotte Hornets got a future star?
Hornets coach Charles Lee previewed Knueppel’s fit with the team praising his work ethic and how versatile he will be for the team’s offense.
“He’s one of the best shooters in the draft, one of the highest basketball IQ guys, and one of the best competieors too. We’re really looking forward for a lot of reasons,” Lee said.
Simmons thinks the same thing and believes he can improve a lot.
“I’m just betting on in three years it will make complete sense that he is on the team. He just checks so many boxes for the international thing. He won’t care if he plays that much. He’ll be ready if you need him. He has insurance at the swing spots. He can rebound.”
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