Kon Knueppel Reveals Mike Krzyzewski Advice He Still Carries With Him

During a rough stretch at Duke, Kon Knueppel heard from Mike Krzyzewski, who wanted to know if he was having fun.

Knueppel brought up the conversation with Hornets.com ahead of Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. It is his first appearance of the season for the Charlotte Hornets, after a left hamstring strain cost him eight games.

Competing, smiling, and enjoying it with his teammates is what Knueppel is looking forward to.

"We talk about competitive joy," Knueppel said. "I was going through a rough stretch at Duke, and [former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] Coach K was just like, 'Are you having fun? You don't look like you're having fun. You don't smile.'"

"So, I just look forward to doing that out there with my teammates," Knueppel continued. "Competing with them, smiling, enjoying it, having fun and bringing the group together to win some games."

Krzyzewski had already retired when Knueppel got to Durham, and Jon Scheyer coached him through 2024-25, the only season Knueppel spent in college.

His first college game came two years ago to the day, on Nov. 4, 2024, when he scored 22 against Maine. He started all 39 games that season. His averages were 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, and his 91.4% at the line was the best in the ACC and the second-highest by a freshman in Duke history. Shooting 47.9% overall and 40.6% from deep, he made the All-ACC second team and the conference's All-Rookie Team.

His March included an ACC Tournament MVP award. Against Louisville in the title game on March 15, 2025, he scored 18 with 8 rebounds in a 73-62 win.

Duke, 35-4 with Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach also in that freshman class, lost 70-67 to Houston in the Final Four on April 5. Knueppel had 16 points.

Effort and playing together were what he hoped fans would remember.

"I thought we had a phenomenal year," Knueppel explained after the loss. "It was a joy to be a part of. I would just hope that the fans and everybody appreciate how we gave it our all every night and appreciate how we play together."

In Milwaukee, he was Wisconsin Mr. Basketball at Wisconsin Lutheran, averaging 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists as a senior. Charlotte drafted him fourth in June 2025.

Last season, Knueppel led the league with 273 three-pointers, breaking Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206. He played 81 games, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Flagg won Rookie of the Year, 412 votes to 386.

He sat out once, on Dec. 29. Three nights earlier in Orlando, a sprained right ankle sent him to the locker room before halftime, after he scored 16. Hornets.com calls this hamstring strain his first significant injury.

Charlotte took three of its first four games without him. It has not won since, and Monday's 124-91 loss to the Detroit Pistons made it four in a row.

He got a practice in with the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Oct. 29. Coby White, who sat out the season's first seven games with a strained left calf, came back against Detroit two days ahead of Knueppel and scored 7 in 16 minutes on a restriction.

Brooklyn has one win in seven games. Charlotte won at Barclays Center 110-103 on Oct. 21, and Wednesday's game there starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.