The NBA start for Charlotte Hornets’ No.4 overall pick Kon Knueppelâs has been nothing short of historicâand his former coach isnât afraid to say it.
Before the Hornets faced the Los Angeles Lakersânow led by former Duke great JJ RedickâBlue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer spoke with FOX Sportsâ Shannon Spake. What he said quickly went viral.
âTheyâre both killers. They are wired to win. Theyâre wired to compete their tails off. But Don is a better athlete and defenderâand Iâd tell JJ [Redick] that to his face.â
Thatâs a bold claim considering Redickâs legendary Duke career and his 15-year run as one of the NBAâs best shooters.
From Durham to the League
Knueppelâs transition from college to the pros has been seamless. The rookie became the first player in NBA history to score over 150 points and hit 30 or more threes in his first 10 career games.
Against Redickâs Lakers, Knueppel nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. His all-around game once again highlighted why Scheyer calls him âwired to compete.â
With both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller sidelined, Knueppelâs role has grown fast. Over the last four games, heâs averaged 23.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, shooting 62.4% true shooting and producing a +40.1 net rating swing when on the floor.
He currently leads all NBA rookies in:
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Scoring: 16.4 PPG
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3-Point Field Goals Made: 30
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Defensive FG%: 38.5%
Because of that, Knueppel has climbed to No. 4 on the NBAâs most recent Kia Rookie Ladder, trailing only Cooper Flagg, Cedric Coward, and VJ Edgecombe.
Redickâs Legacyâand Knueppelâs Ceiling
The Redick comparison fits naturally. Both players built their reputations on movement shooting, discipline, and an obsession with details. However, Scheyer insists Knueppel brings something differentâathleticism and defense that Redick never had.
Redick remains a Duke icon. During his NBA career, he averaged 12.8 points, 41.5% from three, and 89.2% from the line across 940 games. He influenced Scheyerâs decision to play at Duke and later endorsed him as Mike Krzyzewskiâs successor in 2022.
Even so, Scheyer believes Knueppelâs path could lead to more. His size, versatility, and energy on both ends give him a ceiling beyond pure shooting. On a Hornets team missing its top stars, Knueppel has quickly become the engine keeping them afloat.
He may not match Redick in longevity yet, but heâs showing early signs of a more dynamic NBA future. With his combination of production, poise, and playmaking, he already looks like a potential All-Star in the making.
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