In the 2025 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets picked Kon Knueppel from Duke with the fourth overall selection. In the 2025-26 season, he has played in 53 of the 54 games and has started 52 of them.
The Hornets faced a tough beginning to the season but have improved significantly since mid-January. Prior to a loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, they had a winning streak of nine games.
Knueppel has had a significant impact in his rookie season. At just 20 years old, he is performing exceptionally well, approaching the 50/40/90 shooting benchmark. This means he’s shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Could he be the first rookie in NBA history to achieve the 50/40/90 club?
Hornets’ Kon Knueppel might make history
In the 80 years of the NBA, only nine players have achieved a 50/40/90 season.
These players include Steve Nash (4 times), Larry Bird (2 times), Kevin Durant (2 times), Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Steph Curry, Malcolm Brogdon, and Kyrie Irving.