Among all the rookies of the 2025-26 NBA season, Kon Knueppel has taken the spotlight with his impressive display. The former Duke star has played in 17 games for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Knueppel also overtook Cooper Flagg as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Early in the year, the Dallas Mavericks forward was regarded as the best rookie, but the Hornets star has changed the narrative.
Knueppel has made a name for himself as one of the best outside shooters. He’s made 63 shots from deep on 43.8% efficiency. Former NBA star Reggie Miller has been dazzled by how the first-year player has performed. Miller appeared as a guest on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday. During his visit to the show, the former Indiana Pacers star spoke highly of the 6-foot-7 forward.
Miller picked Kon Knueppel to win the Rookie of the Year award. The five-time All-Star may also surpass Steph Curry’s 3-point record.
“He’s winning Rookie of the Year,” Miller said. And dare I say this, dare I say this: Is Stephen Curry going to be a little nervous in about 15 years?”
“Just go back and look at Steph’s first two or three years, in terms of three-pointers made, and what Kon has done this year. Just look at their first years. But here is the problem, you got to stay healthy — longevity. You’ve got to stay healthy. 17 years, 18 years for Stephen Curry. Can Kon Knueppel do that over a long period of time? I want to see it.”
Knueppel could break Curry’s 3-point record with the number of shots he’s put up from deep. Additionally, he’s been efficient when shooting long-range bombs.
Miles Bridges crowns Kon Knueppel as the best player for the Hornets this season
The Hornets have not been winning games this season. The team is currently on a six-game losing streak and looks to end it on Wednesday against the New York Knicks. Even with their losses, Kon Knueppel has done his best to lead the team with his scoring.
With how he’s played for Charlotte, he earned one of the best compliments from his teammates. In an interview with the media on Tuesday, Miles Bridges referred to the youngster as the team’s best player this season.
“Just go back and look at Steph’s first two or three years, in terms of three-pointers made, and what Kon has done this year. Just look at their first years,” Bridges said. “But here is the problem, you got to stay healthy — longevity. You’ve got to stay healthy. 17 years, 18 years for Stephen Curry. Can Kon Knueppel do that over a long period of time? I want to see it.”
The rookie has set a standard for himself and is showing that he has what it takes to be a star.
Credit: Jeff Siner of The Charlotte Observer
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
