Many believe Kon Knueppel will leave the Duke Blue Devils after a successful freshman season. While their Final Four exit brought frustrations and plenty of questions to Cooper Flagg and the rest of the roster, almost everyone agrees that Flagg and Knueppel will not extend their stints in Durham.
It’s clear on many draft boards that Flagg will likely go first overall due to his talent at only 18. However, Blue Devils fans are also eager to know where Knueppel would end up when he inevitably declares for the 2025 draft class.
Analysts made their claim on where the 6’7″ guard would land in late June, and his possible destinations are intriguing for his basketball future.
Draft predictions have Duke Blue Devils’ Kon Knueppel in the lottery
Austin Curtright of USA TODAY Sports compiled data on where Knueppel would likely land in the 2025 Draft. Many relevant mock drafts don’t have the Milwaukee, WI native staying on the board past the tenth pick.
The 19th-best player in the 2024 recruiting class is projected by USA TODAY to end up fifth overall, while The Athletic believes the Oklahoma City Thunder would add him to their roster with the sixth pick if he ever remains available.
Bleacher Report has him landing with the Trail Blazers with the tenth pick, while Yahoo! Sports see a ninth-place selection with the Blazers. ESPN has him going to the San Antonio Spurs and learn from De’Aaron Fox.
How will Kon Knueppel fare in the NBA?
It’s not hard to see why Knueppel would declare for the draft. The 19-year-old had a phenomenal campaign in the ACC, averaging 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals on 47% shooting and 40% on 5.3 attempts from long range.
While most teams will likely draft him for his accuracy from three-point land, Kevin O’Connor’s scouting report points to another strength of his that teams will love:
Capable of running pick-and-rolls, though at this stage his passing is best suited in transition and when attacking within the flow of the offense. Such as when he curls off a screen, takes two dribbles into the paint, then tosses a lob to his rolling big.
O’Connor also noted that his athleticism and defense will make his jump from college to the pros a little difficult. However, his frame should allow him to guard multiple positions if he works on his lateral quickness when he makes it to the pros.
For More Content
Reach me on social media @ebbydancel for questions and opportunities. Click here for more content about your favorite NBA, WNBA, and college basketball teams!
