Kon Knueppel Already Turning Heads in Charlotte: “I Didn’t Know He Could Jump Like That”

Kon Knueppel Already Turning Heads in Charlotte: “I Didn’t Know He Could Jump Like That”

Kon Knueppel hasn’t played a single regular-season NBA minute yet, but the Charlotte Hornets are already buzzing about their rookie forward.

A year ago, Duke fans were learning what Knueppel could do after his teammates unanimously called him the most surprising player on the roster during Caleb Foster’s “Brotherhood Podcast.” By season’s end, Knueppel had backed it up, delivering clutch shooting and toughness that culminated in an ACC Tournament MVP run.

Now, as he transitions to the NBA, his new teammates are discovering exactly what Duke players already knew: the kid can hoop.

LaMelo Ball on Knueppel: “Hold up…”

At Hornets Media Day, LaMelo Ball was asked about the rookie, and his response came with a grin.

“I’m not going lie. I’m going to go with the bounce. For real. I didn’t know he could jump like that,” Ball said. “He’s even caught a few little dunks. I’m like, ‘Hold up, I’ve seen White Men Can’t Jump at the end and he’s been kind of jumping like that the whole day, though. Solid.”

For a player often pigeonholed as just a sharpshooter, the comment from Charlotte’s franchise cornerstone speaks volumes. Knueppel’s athleticism has been one of the quiet surprises of camp, and it’s quickly reshaping perceptions of what he might bring to the Hornets.

A Rookie in the Spotlight

Adding fuel to the fire, the Hornets made Knueppel pose with Ball and Brandon Miller in official team photos  a subtle but telling move that signals the organization’s belief in him as part of their young core. For a rookie fresh out of college, that’s a major show of confidence.

Charlotte’s faith isn’t unfounded. Knueppel’s blend of size, shooting touch, and underrated bounce makes him a versatile wing who could slot in alongside Ball and Miller seamlessly. If his learning curve is steep, the Hornets may have snagged a rotation-ready rookie right out of the gate.

The Hornets’ Clear Message

Media Day only reinforced what insiders have hinted at for weeks: Charlotte sees Knueppel as more than just depth. His name keeps surfacing in lineup conversations, and the confidence from teammates suggests he could earn early minutes.

For a franchise trying to escape years of mediocrity, adding a reliable, fearless rookie could be a game-changer. Knueppel may not be the flashiest prospect, but his work ethic and ability to surprise opponents are exactly what the Hornets need.

The Bottom Line

It’s still too early to tell exactly where Kon Knueppel fits into the Hornets’ long-term puzzle, but one thing is clear  he’s making people notice. From Duke teammates a year ago to LaMelo Ball today, everyone who shares the floor with Knueppel seems to walk away impressed.

And if he keeps catching teammates off guard with his bounce, Charlotte fans might be in for their own surprise this season.