Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel has established himself as a franchise star right from his rookie year. The fact that Knueppel is essentially a generational player is established from the records that he is breaking this season.
After the Hornets’ 139-132 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Knueppel became the fastest player to make 100 threes in the league. Knueppel entered the game with 99 threes in 28 games. He broke the record after making his 100th three-pointer with 49.2 seconds left on the clock, finishing the game 5-of-7 from deep with 20 points.
It took Knueppel 29 games to reach this landmark, beating the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Keegan Murray, Luka Doncic, and Brandon Miller. This season, Knueppel is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while hitting 47.4% from the field and 40.4% from deep. In a way, he has become the second-most important player for the franchise after star LaMelo Ball.
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Despite such a historic night, Knueppel couldn’t carry his team to a win. Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavs with 30 points and six three-pointers, pushing Cleveland 16-14 this season. Others, such as Darius Garland, also contributed 27 points, and De’Andre Hunter finished with 27 points off the bench.
Hornets star LaMelo Ball finished the night with 23 points and nine assists, while Brandon Miller added 20 points. With this loss, the Hornets have dropped to a 9-20 record this season.
Can Kon Knueppel be The Next Franchise Player For The Hornets?
Kon Knueppel has rapidly transitioned from a “safe” draft pick to a transformative engine for the Charlotte Hornets’ offense. By functioning as a primary ball handler in transition and an elite off-ball mover, he has unlocked a level of efficiency for stars like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller that was missing last season. His impact is backed by historic production.
Through his first 29 games, Knueppel is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists with elite shooting splits of 47.4/41.4/91.9. He became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 career three-pointers, doing so in just 29 games, and surpassed Alonzo Mourning for the most points scored by a Hornets rookie through their first 25 career games (466 points).
Knueppel’s case for being the next Hornets franchise player rests on his rare blend of high-IQ “connector” traits and alpha-level scoring gravity. Unlike many rookies who struggle with efficiency, Knueppel boasts a 60.1% effective field goal percentage and leads all qualified players with 1.79 points per possession as a pick-and-roll roll man, a rather staggering stat for a wing.
Knueppel’s constant motion and “pass-up-a-good-shot-for-a-great-shot” mentality have fundamentally altered Charlotte’s culture, moving them away from stagnant isolation. With his advanced maturity, defensive “care factor,” and a game that perfectly complements established stars, Knueppel isn’t just a supporting piece; he is arguably becoming the most reliable and efficient cornerstone of the Hornets’ future.
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