Duke basketball has been the Cooper Flagg show all season long, and for good reason—the freshman phenom has been a walking highlight reel, cementing himself as the likely No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But during the ACC tournament, it was his teammate Kon Knueppel who grabbed the spotlight, leading the Blue Devils to the title and walking away with MVP honors. Let’s break down how Knueppel stepped up, why he’s drawing big-time comparisons, and what this means for Duke as they head into March Madness as a No. 1 seed.
With Flagg sidelined by an ankle injury for the ACC tournament, Knueppel had to carry the load—and he delivered in a big way. The freshman guard was lights-out, guiding Duke to the championship and earning MVP honors with his all-around play. He’s been a revelation this season, averaging 14.4 points while shooting nearly 40% from three and over 90% from the free-throw line. Those are eye-popping numbers for a first-year player, and they’ve got NBA scouts buzzing. On The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony didn’t hold back, comparing Knueppel to a likely Hall of Famer. “I think Kon Knueppel is going to be a big-time NBA player,” Givony said. “I think he’s going to be like a Klay Thompson. That’s my comp.”
That’s high praise—Thompson’s a four-time NBA champ and one of the best shooters the league has ever seen. But Givony sees more than just a sharpshooter in Knueppel. “He is going to be an absolute star in the NBA, wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being an All-Star,” he added. “He can do everything on the basketball court.” Givony pointed out that while some might stereotype Knueppel as just a shooter—“a white guy from Wisconsin”—he’s so much more. When Flagg went down, Knueppel stepped into a point guard role, leading Duke in pick-and-roll usage, dishing out passes, and showing a feel for the game that’s rare for a freshman. “Physical, competitive, not a high flyer,” Givony noted, brushing off concerns about Knueppel’s defense. “I have zero concerns about him on defense.”
For Duke, the Flagg-Knueppel duo has been a nightmare for ACC opponents all year. Flagg’s the headliner, with his freakish athleticism and two-way dominance, but Knueppel’s the perfect complement—a perimeter sniper who can create his own shot and make plays for others. His 40% three-point shooting stretches defenses thin, giving Flagg room to operate inside. Together, they’ve made Duke a juggernaut, and locking up the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament has them primed for a deep run. They’ll tip off their March Madness journey on Friday, and all eyes will be on Knueppel to see if he can keep those Klay Thompson comparisons rolling.
Knueppel’s draft stock is soaring after his ACC tournament heroics, and for good reason—he’s proving he’s more than just a sidekick. While Flagg’s the surefire top pick, Knueppel’s showing he’s the kind of piece NBA teams need to build a winner. Duke fans are eating it up, and as the Blue Devils gear up for the Big Dance, Knueppel’s got a chance to cement his name as one of the best freshmen in the country. This tournament could be his coming-out party—don’t be surprised if he’s got a few more MVP trophies in his future.
