Duke men's basketball 2024-25 player review: Kon Knueppel - The Chronicle
As the Blue Devils’ season comes to an end, the Blue Zone takes a final look at every player’s performance this year. We’ve already analyzed Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans, Khaman Maluach, Tyrese Proctor, Sion James and Caleb Foster. Next up is freshman guard Kon Knueppel:
Freshman
6-foot-7
Guard
30.5 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG
When the starting lineup for Duke’s season opener was announced, four names were expected — and one stood out. Knueppel, a freshman from Milwaukee, arrived with an elite high school resume. He had racked up a state title, multiple player of the year honors and a dominant Nike EYBL showing, but came without the same national spotlight as other top recruits in the Blue Devils’ class. Still, it took just one game for Knueppel to announce himself in Durham. He scored 22 points in his debut against Maine Nov. 4, including 15 in the first half. Knueppel showed off his polished jumper, smart cutting and poise under pressure.
That strong start was no surprise to those inside the program. Knueppel had impressed the coaching staff throughout the preseason with his maturity and preparation. In nearly every closed scrimmage, he was among the most efficient players on the floor: steady, unshaken and always in the right spot.
Even in quieter stretches — like a midseason shooting slump against Kansas and Kentucky — Knueppel found ways to impact the game. He recorded a career-high eight assists against the Jayhawks and remained one of Duke’s most reliable halfcourt defenders. His sharp decision-making and precise off-ball movement helped steady the Blue Devils’ offense, even when his shot wasn’t falling.
Knueppel quickly established himself as a fixture in one of the deepest rotations in the country. Through Duke’s nonconference slate, he averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting efficiently from both the field and the free-throw line while providing steady playmaking and perimeter scoring. His off-ball movement and floor spacing complemented Tyrese Proctor and Cooper Flagg, and his decision-making made him a natural fit in the Blue Devils’ offense from the jump.
Once conference play got underway, Knueppel only got more comfortable. In a dominant win over Miami Jan. 14, he poured in 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-8 from three, setting a season-high. Two weeks later, in Duke’s first showdown against North Carolina, Knueppel delivered 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with five rebounds, five assists and two steals — his most complete performance to that point.
His defining stretch came in March, when ACC Tournament injuries to Flagg and Maliq Brown forced Knueppel into a larger role. In the quarterfinal against Georgia Tech March 13, Knueppel erupted for a career-high 28 points and matched his high assist mark with eight, scoring 11 of the Blue Devils’ final 13 points. He also extended his free-throw streak to 38 straight — the fourth-longest in program history. He followed that performance with 17 points in a semifinal win over North Carolina, then capped the run with 18 points and eight rebounds in the title game against Louisville. Named ACC Tournament MVP, Knueppel led Duke to the championship without Flagg and solidified himself as one of the team’s most trusted closers.
That trust extended beyond the box score. When asked in a mock locker room interview what three things he’d bring in an apocalypse, Flagg answered simply.
“Some food, a gun and Kon Knueppel.”
It was a joking moment, but one that underscored just how respected Knueppel had become in the Blue Devil locker room by season’s end.
He carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament. In a Sweet 16 win over Arizona, Knueppel scored 20 points on 5-of-7 shooting and hit several clutch free throws down the stretch. Two nights later in the Elite Eight, Knueppel became the Blue Devils’ offensive engine, posting 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a wire-to-wire win over Alabama. In the Final Four, he added 16 more on 5-of-9 shooting and helped keep his squad ahead of Houston before the Blue Devils’ eventual downfall.
What separated Knueppel was his ability to adapt, not just fill the stat sheet. At Wisconsin Lutheran High School, he was a high-usage star. At Duke, he adjusted seamlessly into a complementary role, then stepped into the spotlight when the team needed him most. Teammates and coaches consistently praised his maturity, unselfishness and sharp instincts.
“This guy’s a stud right here,” head coach Jon Scheyer said. “He’s the ultimate warrior, competitor and he really carried us throughout tonight . . . This guy’s been incredible.”
Knueppel closed his freshman year as a national name and projected NBA lottery pick. But beyond the accolades, his season stood as a blueprint for what it looks like to win within a team structure. He carved out his role with fundamentals on both ends of the floor, and the Blue Devils needed every bit of it.
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