Kon Knueppel is getting ready to embark on the next phase of his basketball career. The 19-year-old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is poised to be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft after making an instant impression at Duke.
Knueppel, the current Wisconsin Mr. Basketball and a five-star recruit out of high school, had a stellar debut season. He averaged 14.4 points per game while participating in all 39 games.
Knueppel is predicted to go as high as eighth overall in a number of mock drafts. However, the court isn’t the source of his most recent news. Knueppel joined two Duke teammates in an emotional Mother’s Day video tribute, expressing gratitude and love for their respective mothers.
The video opens with Kon’s mother, Chari Knueppel, referring to him as “my baby” and saying “hi buddy” with genuine affection. Kon replies that his mother is “the best” and that she is “a hooper and very supportive.”
She encourages us in all we do, including basketball, sports, and school. Whether we want to hear it or not, she always has counsel,” he remarked.
“I love my mom, and I know she loves us,” Kon continues. Indeed, she is the greatest.
“Buddy, you’re the best!” Chari responds, fighting back tears.
On her own, Chari Knueppel was exceptional. She is Wisconsin-Green Bay’s all-time top scorer. Jeff Nordgaard, her brother, played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA after attending UW-Green Bay.
The 6-foot-7 freshman scored in double digits in four of five games during Duke’s march to the NCAA Tournament. He only scored six points in 19 minutes during the first game against Mount St. Mary’s. However, he recovered in the final game against Houston, scoring 16 points and pulling down seven rebounds on 5 of 9 shots from the field.
June 25 is the day of the NBA Draft. The selection order will be decided by the draft lottery, which is held on Monday evening.
