Kager Knueppel, younger brother of Duke freshman Kon Knueppel, is emerging as a rising basketball prospect, drawing interest from elite college programs. Among those impressed is Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who has taken notice following Kager’s strong showings at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL).
Kager is the second oldest of five basketball-playing brothers in the Knueppel family, which boasts a deep basketball background. His older brother Kon, a five-star recruit, is currently making his mark at Duke. Their mother, Chari Nordgaard Knueppel, remains a record-holder at UW-Green Bay. Kon is also attracting attention ahead of next month’s NBA Draft.
Kentucky’s John Calipari Eyes Kager Knueppel After Standout EYBL Performance
Kager Knueppel, a 6-foot-8 forward from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, is quickly becoming a major name in recruiting circles. The younger brother of Duke standout Kon Knueppel, Kager impressed at Nike EYBL Session 2, where he showcased his shooting range and versatility—qualities that caught the eye of Arkansas head coach John Calipari.
SLAM High School Hoops spotlighted Kager’s performance with a post stating,
“Getting buckets runs in the family. Kager Knueppel – Kon’s younger brother – was getting to it at Nike EYBL Session 2 today.”
Coach Calipari Pulled Up! 🚨🤩
Getting buckets runs in the family. Kager Knueppel – Kon’s younger brother – was getting to it at Nike EYBL Session 2. 🔥 @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/n1fjNGaXBi
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) May 16, 2025
The post featured Calipari courtside, watching the rising prospect in action.
Kager’s profile has steadily risen. The Toledo Rockets were the first Division I program to extend a scholarship to the 2027 recruit, doing so after watching him post 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Duke has not yet made an offer, but with Kon playing a significant role for the Blue Devils, the family connection could play a factor in future recruitment.
Known as a deep shooter with even more length than Kon, Kager has demonstrated growth in every area of his game. After limited minutes as a freshman, he took a leap this past season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest.
His shooting efficiency has stood out—he connected on 56.4% of his field goals, 41.9% from three-point range, and 81.6% from the free-throw line.
The EYBL showcase further validated his development, with recruiters taking note of his frame, floor awareness, and scoring instincts. His standout performances could lead to more high-major interest as the 2027 class takes shape.
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Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel continues to build on the family legacy. The Duke freshman helped guide the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance. He averaged 14.4 points over 39 games and added 15 points and four rebounds per game during the NCAA Tournament.
In Duke’s semifinal loss to Baylor, he tallied 16 points and seven rebounds. With Kon projected as a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Kager is carving out his own spotlight—and John Calipari’s presence at EYBL only underscores the momentum behind his name.
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