Fueled by a draft-day chip on Kon Knueppel's shoulder, the sharpshooting Hornets rookie traded jokes for intensity, demanding a culture of seriousness that earned his head coach's ultimate respect.
Kon Knueppel didn't come to the Charlotte Hornets to play around.
The No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft had a chip on his shoulder coming into the NBA. His former Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg, went No. 1 in the draft.
In retrospect, Knueppel didn't get the credit he deserved with the Blue Devils because Flagg got most of the hype. Knueppel had a stellar rookie season, leading the NBA in three-point shots made (273) and finishing runner up to Cooper Flagg for the NBA Rookie of the Year honor.
During an appearance on Ryen Russillo's show, Hornets head coach Charles Lee explained how intense Knueppel can be at practice. Lee tried to make a joke during a workout, and the rookie made a brave challenge.
"When (Kon Knueppel) had his draft workout, there was this level of seriousness with him," Lee said.
"I walked over at one point to say something to him during a drill and I made a joke, and he looked at me like, 'This isn't funny. I'm here to work. I'm here to get drafted.' And I was like, 'I like this guy.'"
Lee appreciates the way Knueppel is trying to improve his game every day. He can take criticism from coaches and isn't afraid in the moment.
"You can coach him hard," Lee said. "You can say what you need to say, and he can get the message without getting too emotional... he's just even-keeled. And I felt that during the season, he just doesn't back down from anybody.
"He's not afraid of a moment... He's so effective in a lot of different ways and he picks things up so quickly. How people are guarding him or watching Donovan Mitchell do his little high pickup and get fouled, now Kon's trying to do the high pickup and he gets fouled... it's fun to watch him play the game and how he approaches every day."
Knueppel has earned more responsibilities on the Hornets for the 2026-27 campaign. He wants to push his teammates to become more physical as Charlotte looks to improve next season and make the playoffs.
