While Kon Knueppel grabbed the headlines, Ryan Kalkbrenner insists Sion James’s defensive grit and leadership deserved All-Rookie honors, signaling a bright future for the Charlotte Hornet's emerging young core.
The Charlotte Hornets 2025 draft class made a statement last season, leading the team to the Play-In Tournament.
Kon Knueppel led the NBA in three-pointers made, earning the runner-up for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Knueppel received the most attention of the class, and for good reason, but Ryan Kalkbrenner thinks Sion James should have received more credit for his help.
“I would argue Sion needs to be on an all-Rookie team,” said Kalkbrenner, via the Hornets. “He did a lot of things that don’t show up in the statsheet or go unnoticed by a lot of people.
"He was a really important player for us. Guarding the best player all the time, being a big-time communicator and connector on offense. He deserves a lot more recognition than he gets.”
James averaged 5.4 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game last season on 22.5 minutes per game. He has room to grow in Charlotte in his second season in the association.
Kalkbrenner had an impressive rookie season himself, averaging 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game (which led rookies and was 12th overall in the NBA).
Kalkbrenner thinks the Hornets have the potential to be even better next season as the 2025 class develops this summer and learns from the 2025-26 campaign.
“I think the four of us came in with really good mindsets of like what we were going to do this year,” said Kalkbrenner. “We were going to work hard and see where it took us. We were lucky to be surrounded by a bunch of people – coaches and players – that helped us with the growing process.
"It’s good for the future. I think we all can be better than we were this year, even though we had some success. So, it’s going to be fun moving forward seeing where all our ceilings can be.”
The Hornets have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft that will be helpful too. Charlotte could have a potential future dynasty being built by the draft classes in 2025 and 2026 if they hit on both picks.