When discussing the best shooters in the 2025 NBA Draft, Duke's Kon Knueppel stands near the top of the list. The 6-foot-7 guard is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 40.6% from three-point range and 91.4% from the free-throw line. Knueppel served as the Robin to Cooper Flagg's Batman, consistently providing stellar secondary scoring and tertiary playmaking for a Blue Devils team that was arguably the best in college basketball. Now, we'll find out if Knueppel can be a similar player at the next level, despite his clear athletic limitations.
The good news for Knueppel is that players with his size and shooting touch remain rare, which should make him a valuable NBA player even if he doesn't offer much else. He's a deadeye catch-and-shoot option, making him a player that opposing defenses can't leave unattended. That will make him dangerous on his own while also allowing his teammates to leverage his gravity. Knueppel also has a keen understanding of how to free himself for outside shots, even though he isn't particularly quick or explosive. He reads the game well, finds small openings, and possesses good enough footwork and a quick enough release to make it all work.
Knueppel isn't merely a shooter. While he lacks burst and likely won't earn his living as a driver, he's an effective pick-and-roll operator. He did impressive work in those actions at Duke, able to either rise up for a jumper when the defense sags or make precise passes to rollers or poppers. He's accurate and crafty in delivering the ball to teammates, and it will be interesting to see him create for others in the NBA. Though he may not get as many opportunities to run the offense as a primary ball handler, he'll be capable in a pinch. His next team will likely design plays to get him into pick-and-roll actions on the wings. He simply needs to earn the trust of his coaching staff, which he should do handily as a basketball junkie with high basketball IQ. What coach wouldn't see that and find ways to utilize his talents?
The issue with Knueppel is that his lack of athleticism and foot speed stands out prominently. He does everything possible to create advantages as a driver, but they often aren't there. Against NBA-level athletes, creating separation might prove even more difficult. However, plenty of players with athletic limitations have found ways to succeed, so it would be a mistake to dismiss Knueppel's potential as a driver entirely.
The bigger concern is on the defensive end of the floor. Knueppel competes intensely on that side of the floor, and his presence didn't prevent Duke from ranking in the top five of KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings. Considering he played 30.5 minutes per game, that speaks volumes about his willingness to compete and ability to position himself correctly. However, he genuinely struggles to slide his feet and stay in front of quicker, more athletic guards. In the NBA, he'll face such matchups regularly in a more spread-out game. The superior spacing at the professional level will thoroughly test his defensive capabilities.
Knueppel's defense could ultimately determine what type of professional he becomes. If he struggles significantly on that end, he might be relegated to a spark-plug role off the bench. But if he can avoid being a complete liability, he's likely to develop into a very good starter. That's how impressive his offensive game is, and there's potential for growth. We've seen this pattern before with players like Desmond Bane and Tyler Herro, first-round picks selected primarily for their outside shooting who eventually expanded their games considerably. It's entirely possible Knueppel will follow a similar trajectory.
It will be fascinating to see where Knueppel lands in the draft. Given his skill set, he's likely to end up in a situation that's more developed than your typical lottery team. The weakest teams will probably gamble on higher-upside prospects, which could benefit Knueppel. Surrounded by better players in a structured offense, his skills should immediately stand out. That said, landing on a rebuilding team that can offer him on-ball responsibilities from the beginning wouldn't hurt either. We know Knueppel will be a dynamic off-ball shooter who helps his offense as an elite floor-spacer. But if given time to expand his game early in his career, he could reach greater heights and outperform his draft position.