Kon Knueppel named Rookie of the Month after hot start – Basketball Insider
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel won the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for October and November. He beat out teammate Ryan Kalkbrenner and third overall pick VJ Edgecombe for the honor. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, won the Western Conference award.
How Charlotte Landed Knuppel
The Hornets entered the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with a 19-63 record and tied for the best odds to lock up the No. 1 pick. The position would have given them a chance to draft Flagg, who dominated college basketball during the winter and spring. The lottery didn’t break their path. Charlotte fell to the fourth pick, missing out on Duke’s star forward.
They made a quick move and selected Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s college teammate and one of the most productive wings in the class. The decision appears to have been a major success.
Strong first month
Knupper has excelled in his first month as a pro. He averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 8.4 shots per game, shooting 47.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range. His scoring, versatility and confidence have helped stabilize a young roster still looking for consistency.
He became the Hornets’ third rookie in the past decade to win Rookie of the Month. Brandon Miller earned the honor from January to March of 2024, while LaMelo Ball earned it from December to March of the 2020-21 season.
Even before draft night, Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson had high praise for Knuupel. During pre-draft workouts, Peterson told head coach Charles Lee, “He’s very hard on himself, which is what you want. He cares. He cares to the highest level. Character, people, IQ, all of that.”
A promising draft class
Charlotte has earned early praise throughout her draft career. Knuppel projects to be a future All-Star. Kalkbrenner and Sion James showed how to become reliable role players. Despite limited early production, Liam McNeely showed flashes of potential.
A step towards relevance
The Hornets are still in the early stages of a long-term rebuild, but Knuupel’s emergence provides the franchise with a clear building block. He’s been Charlotte’s best player in the early going and has shown signs of being a future face of the franchise.
