Kon Nueppel isn't looking like a rookie at all despite it being his first season in the NBA. What a ride the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has been for the Charlotte Hornets. Still, there have been moments this season where Knueppel has really had a rude awakening that, in fact, he is in the premier league for basketball in the entire world – facing the best players in the world.
One such player who gave Knueppel a "Welcome to the NBA" moment was Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Hornets newbie revealed in an appearance on SportsCenter that defending the freight train that is Antetokounmpo in transition was like scary prospect It reminded him that he really belongs in the NBA.
"There's something there. Just coming back in transition and Giannis is running at you, full throttle. I think he scored," Knueppel told Scott Van Pelt in a very funny way.
Con Knueppel joins @notthefakesvp Joins fellow Duke teammate Cooper Flagg to talk about the Hornets' potential for a playoff berth, Durham and missing out on the Rookie of the Year race 👀 pic.twitter.com/EE8yspLupO
- Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 4 March 2026
Knueppel also recalled defending Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic as particularly memorable moments.
"I think about Steph Curry closing in and thinking 'There's no chance this isn't going in.' Or like Luka getting a switch and an ISO on the wing, Knueppel said.
Hornets' Kon Knueppel welcomes future players to the NBA
Knueppel is already so advanced in his development that it's not hard to see him already being nominated for future All-Star Games and even future All-NBA teams. At just 20 years old, his shooting is already elite, and he's going to be such a big problem for opposing defenses – as if he wasn't already.
The Hornets are nearly above the .500 mark after a rough start to the 2025-26 season, as they now have a 31-31 record heading into Wednesday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics.
