Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has opened eyes with his shooting.
Team USA could consider Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to Vincent Goodwill of ESPN.
Knueppel has established himself as one of the top shooters in the NBA.
"Kon Knueppel also has opened eyes with his shooting, sources told ESPN," Goodwill wrote. "The Charlotte Hornets rookie, who last month became the fastest to record 100 made 3-pointers in NBA history, would help fill the void if Stephen Curry indeed steps away from international play. A major priority under Steve Kerr was 3-point shooting, and that need won't dissipate with the coaching change."
Knueppel leads the NBA in 3-pointers this season. That's really impressive for a rookie to accomplish. The Duke product is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 48.7% from the field, 43.5% from beyond the arc and 89.1% from the free-throw line.
"Credit to my teammates and coaches for giving me a lot of good opportunities to get good shots," Knueppel said. "Just sticking with it, sticking with my mechanics and confidence in my shot. Just seems like a lot of them are going in right now."
Knueppel and Dallas Mavericks swingman Cooper Flagg are competing for the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Award. Knueppel and Flagg were roommates in college at Duke, so it's been fun to watch the two friends have fantastic rookie seasons thus far.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is the new head coach of Team USA, replacing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who is stepping down. NBA legends LeBron James and Stephen Curry won't play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while Kevin Durant may play.
Team USA won the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The roster was James, Curry, Durant, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards.
It will be fascinating to see if Knueppel is on the 2028 Team USA roster. Spoelstra needs shooters and Knueppel is an elite shooter, so don't be surprised if the Hornets swingman is representing his country in the summer of 2028.
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