Kon Knueppel Eyes NBA Future After Strong Duke Debut and Touching Mother’s Day Moment
Kon Knueppel is getting ready to take the next big step in his basketball career. The 19-year-old Milwaukee native made an instant impact in his freshman season at Duke and is now on the cusp of being selected in the lottery of the 2025 NBA Draft.
A former five-star recruit and the reigning Wisconsin Mr. Basketball, Knueppel impressed in his first year at the college level, playing all 39 games and averaging 14.4 points per outing.
Projected by several mock drafts to be picked as high as No. 7 overall, Knueppel recently drew attention for something beyond the hardwood. On Mother’s Day, he appeared in a heartfelt video alongside two Duke teammates, showing love and gratitude to their mothers.
The clip begins with Kon’s mother, Chari Knueppel, affectionately calling him “my baby” and greeting him with a warm “hi buddy.” Kon responds by calling her “the best,” describing her as “super supportive and a hooper.”
“She’s there for everything—school, sports, basketball. Always giving advice, even when we don’t ask,” he said.
He added, “I love my mom, and I know she loves us. She’s the best.” With emotion in her voice, Chari replied, “Buddy, you’re the best!”
Chari Knueppel is no stranger to basketball success herself. She remains the all-time leading scorer at Wisconsin-Green Bay, and her brother, Jeff Nordgaard, also played there before a stint in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks.
During Duke’s NCAA Tournament run, the 6-foot-7 forward scored in double figures in four of five games. After a quieter start against Mount St. Mary’s, he stepped up in the championship game versus Houston, putting up 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting and adding seven rebounds.
The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25, with the draft lottery to determine the order taking place on Monday night.
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