Kon Knueppel isn’t just fitting in with the Charlotte Hornets — he’s already made NBA history.
The 20-year-old rookie has started his career on a scorching shooting pace, hitting 16 three-pointers over his first four games, the most ever by any player through the first four games of an NBA career, according to league stats.
Knueppel has now recorded back-to-back games with five made threes, and is shooting a blistering 58% from beyond the arc. His early efficiency from deep has turned heads across the league and given Charlotte’s rebuild a much-needed jolt of energy.
A Record Start for the No. 4 Pick
Drafted fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Duke, Knueppel arrived with expectations to provide perimeter scoring and spacing. But few could have predicted this level of instant impact. He’s averaging 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game — elite numbers for a player still learning the NBA pace and physicality.
Knueppel has started three of his first four games, showing enough poise and shot selection to earn the confidence of rookie head coach Charles Lee, who praised his readiness and mentality in comments to The Charlotte Observer.
“Our rookies, they came in, they hit the ground running from Day One,” Lee said. “The habits they bring, the basketball IQ, the competitiveness — I can kind of go on and on. But they’ve definitely earned the opportunity to be out there in the starting lineup. It’s no surprise.”
Lee added that Knueppel and the team’s other young players “are part of the evolution of our culture,” emphasizing their collective work ethic and willingness to push one another in practice.
The Hornets’ Foundation Piece
Knueppel’s production has been a bright spot in an otherwise uneven start for the Hornets, who sit at 2-2. In Charlotte’s two wins, the team has outscored opponents by an average of 22.5 points per game, powered largely by elite three-point shooting. But in their losses, including a 27-point defeat to the Miami Heat on October 28, the offense has cooled.
The Hornets hope Knueppel’s consistency from deep can stabilize that swing. His spacing has already helped open driving lanes for veterans LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, giving Charlotte a cleaner offensive flow than in recent years.
Knueppel’s early confidence and rhythm echo the kind of breakout shooting stretch few rookies ever experience. The only comparable rookie shooters in recent years — players like Tyrese Maxey and Keegan Murray — didn’t find this level of rhythm until well into their first seasons.
What’s Next for Kon Knueppel
If Knueppel keeps this up, he could soon force his way into Rookie of the Year conversations. His combination of size, shooting, and composure makes him an ideal modern wing — and exactly the kind of foundational player Charlotte has struggled to find for years.
For now, the Hornets will focus on keeping the momentum going. As Lee put it, “They are going to have their ups — which is what they are in right now — but I believe in the character of these people, how they work, how they push each other to be really good.”
Knueppel’s start suggests that belief is already paying off
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