Duke's Kon Knueppel Emerges as 2025 NBA Draft Top Prospect Amid Mixed Scout Views

Kon Knueppel, a Duke sharpshooter and projected top-five pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, has seen his draft stock rise significantly, partly due to his strong performances when teammate Cooper Flagg was injured. While some analysts and mocks place him as high as fourth or fifth overall, an Eastern Conference scout expressed reservations about his value to the Charlotte Hornets, doubting he would make a significant difference there despite his shooting and versatility. Knueppel himself credits his draft rise to stepping up during the ACC and NCAA tournaments in Flagg's absence, proving he can be a primary scorer. Additionally, Knueppel has a longstanding admiration for Bill Simmons, whose basketball history book and podcast influenced him and his family, and Simmons has expressed a strong appreciation for Knueppel’s selflessness and chemistry on the court. The possibility of Knueppel and Flagg both being top-five picks echoes past Duke successes like Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett being selected early in the draft. Overall, Knueppel emerges as a versatile and high-floor prospect with a blend of shooting, basketball IQ, and character that attracts both fans and analysts alike.