Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. A projected top-ten pick, Knueppel was instrumental in Duke’s Final Four run this past season, showcasing a skill set far more advanced than the average freshman.
His reputation as one of the best shooters in college basketball is well established—he shoots 40.5% from beyond the arc and 91% from the free-throw line. But the nuance in his game has caught the attention of respected analysts like Fran Fraschilla.
Fraschilla Points to Kon Knueppel’s Underrated Weapon
As the 2025 NBA Draft nears, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla took to Twitter to spotlight a critical element of Knueppel’s game. “Watch @DukeMBB Kon Knueppel play two feet on his drives. Because he’s always being chased off [the] three-point line, he has to have this in his tool box.”
Coaches: Watch @DukeMBB Kon Knueppel play two feet on his drives. Because he’s always being chased off three-point line, he has to have this in his tool box. @coach_paint pic.twitter.com/HfNEfVCS6h
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 8, 2025
The tweet was shared alongside a video featuring several clips of Knueppel using controlled footwork to navigate defenders after being chased off the arc.
Playing off two feet refers to a player’s ability to stop their momentum with a balanced gather—using both feet—before deciding whether it is a shot, pass, or pivot. This technique offers greater control in tight spaces, allowing players to absorb contact, use fakes, and change angles more effectively.
Kon Knueppel two foot finishing 👣
62.1% at the rim in the half court despite his lack of vertical pop
So good at utilizing his gravity to attack close outs or get a paint touch off cuts, post ups, and curls. Avoids putting himself in bad spots by playing off two and using his… pic.twitter.com/yv6w4nO4xx
— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) April 12, 2025
Knueppel consistently displays this trait. Rather than rushing to the rim, he gathers with composure, using his strength, footwork, and feel to finish through contact or bait defenders into mistiming their contests.
An NBA-Ready Prospect?
Knueppel enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most well-rounded offensive wings. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, he combines elite shooting with a high-feel game that fits seamlessly into today’s NBA systems.
In his lone season at Duke, he averaged 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, helping lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four before falling to eventual champion UConn.
Offensively, Knueppel is far more than a spot-up shooter. He moves well without the ball—curling off screens, relocating quickly, and creating clean looks through smart movement.
Keep Reading: Projected No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg to Visit Dallas Mavericks Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft
What sets him apart from other wings is his vision and playmaking. He reads defenses well, operates with poise in pick-and-rolls, and delivers accurate passes with either hand. His tight handle allows him to beat closeouts and initiate offense, giving him legitimate value as a secondary creator.
Though he lacks elite vertical burst, Knueppel compensates with timing, physicality, and IQ. His ability to play off two feet helps him finish through contact and manipulate defenders with pivots and fakes.
With the draft approaching on June 26, Knueppel is generating strong lottery-level interest.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
