Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel made NBA history this season.
Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel is the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in 3-pointers.
Knueppel beat LaMelo Ball and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.
Knueppel finished his rookie season averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 86.3% from the free-throw line. He missed only one game.
Knueppel and Ball are only the second pair of teammates in NBA history to finish first and second in 3-point field goals in a single season. The other pair was Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who did it in four straight seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
"We were passing each other good looks, just trying to make the right reads. There wasn't like somebody going in there jacking. We were passing it back and forth trying to make the right play. It just happened to be me," Knueppel said. "That's what I care about. How am I impacting my teammates? Am I making things easier for them? Am I helping our team win games? That's where my focus goes. If everybody's focused on that, we'll have a good team."
The Hornets are the ninth seed in the East. They will face the Miami Heat in the 9-10 NBA play-in game. If Charlotte beats Miami, Knueppel and Co. will face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Orlando Magic 7-8 play-in game. If the Hornets lose to the Heat, their season is over.
It will be fascinating to see if the Hornets make the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016. Knueppel will make the All-Rookie First Team. He will also finish first or second in Rookie of the Year voting.
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