The Charlotte Hornets are looking like a good team right now and big part of that is the offensive threat that Kon Knueppel brings. The 2025 rookie is expected to be one of the of the future stars of the league and it is only right that he gets a nickname.
His former teammate and batchmate Cooper Flagg already got the “Flight Flagg” or “Maine Event” based on his hometown. What should be his? Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki might be leading people onto something.
The 2007 MVP caught up with Knueppel after Hornets’ win over the San Antonio Spurs through the NBA on Prime Video and there, he revealed the fourth pick’s name origin. He explained it in a hilarious way though.
“Do you even know what your last name Knueppel means in German?” Nowitzki asked to which the rookie answered he does not.
“Ohh, okay, it’s bat. So you can hit someone with a knueppel over their head. So, you got plenty knueppeling going on. Well, congrats,” he said.
The bat he is referring to the one used in baseball not the animal. It will be hard to think of something that does not promote violence but the idea is there.
The most memorable nickname for the Hornets player, who is of German origin, so far is “Krispy Kreme” but it is not catching attention that much and does not reflect his game.
Kon Knueppel’s performances
Hornets are hot and so is Knueppel who got many NBA legends curious. He scored just 13 points in their win over the Spurs but him being a 3-point threat made LaMelo Ball’s life easier as a playmaker.
The Wisconsin-native is currently among the top rookie this season, averaging 18.8 points per game on 42.7 shooting from the three point line. His former teammate and 2025 no. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is at 19.5PPG.
The two had a duel two days ago with Hornets coming out on top through a lead-stealing and-1 with under four seconds to go. The win spoiled Flagg’s career high 49 points.
History was made tonight ⭐️
Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are the first pair of opposing rookies that went to the same college to each drop 30+ points in the same game.
The two combined for 83 points… the most of any two opposing rookies in over 50 years 🤯 https://t.co/jbnHVgDSQ2 pic.twitter.com/mJwscMiFXt
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2026
Hornets are currently on their sixth straight win, the fourth best in the franchise and are sitting at 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
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