Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel is one of the few bright spots in the team’s season that will probably end up with them missing the playoffs again. The 2025 fourth overall pick is balling in his freshman year and his best asset so far is his three-point shooting.
He impressively makes history from time to time. He is so good at that he is getting compared to legends. Like Klay Thompson.
Complete list of rookies in the 3-point era to average OVER 20 PPG on 70% true shooting over a 10+ game span:
– Kon Knueppel
That’s the list. pic.twitter.com/Kg4gYKFMY8
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) January 7, 2026
Kon Knueppel has 12 games with 5+ 3PM, one game shy of the single-season rookie record (13)…
And the Hornets aren’t even halfway through their season 😳 pic.twitter.com/AhYBjgr0M9
— Underdog (@Underdog) January 7, 2026
He is currently averaging 19.5 points per game and is consistently in the Top 3 of the Kia Rookie Ladder. He is currently second behind no. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
Draymond thinks Kon Knueppel is Klay but . . .
Knueppel is deadly from the three. He also has a slick shooting form. This is why comparison is to Klay Thompson, one half of the Splash Brothers that revolutionized three-point shooting, is warranted.
Klay’s former long-time Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green sees it, too, Of all people, Green has the most credible take when it comes to this rookie being compared to one of the best shooters of all time.
However, he is not exactly sold. He believes Thompson is a dynamic player and Knueppel does not have part of that game yet.
Draymond Green on the Klay Thompson and Kon Knueppel comparison
“They way he’s shooting the ball you can compare him to a young Klay Thompson. I have not seen Kon go guard the other teams best guard. Which is one of the things that made Klay truly special. I haven’t seen Kon has… pic.twitter.com/GACQx05YvV
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) January 7, 2026
Of course, Knueppel is just a rookie and he has plenty of room for improvement. Maybe his defense will improve as the years go on.
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