Kon Knueppel was the 4th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Some draft analysts were surprised he was picked so high. They questioned whether he was worthy of the selection.

No one is questioning that anymore. Just check his stats:

• 18.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.4 APG

• Led the NBA with 273 3’s made (43%)

• 63.3 True Shooting Percentage (2nd among rookies and 1st among rookie guards)

• 1st Team All-Rookie

His performance was a major factor in the Hornets' resurgence.

So what was it that allowed him to be so effective? Here’s what it wasn’t:

• Jaw-dropping dunks

• Shots in isolation

• Triple combo moves

Instead, Kon follows the advice of former Princeton Coach and Hall of Famer Pete Carill, who said, “Be good at the things that happen a lot.”

You’d be smart to do the same. Read on to find out how!

No Flash. No Tricks. Just Results. 3 Ways Kon Makes Simple Special

Here’s what makes Kon special:

• Elite catch and shoot ability

  His 3-point shooting speaks to this. But it’s not just stationary catch and shoot. He is tremendous at shooting off the move. You don’t see as many players capable of doing that in today’s game, making it an incredibly valuable skill.

  

• Quick decision-making

  Knueppel averaged less than 2 dribbles per touch and possessed the ball for less than 2.5 seconds per touch. To put that in perspective, he possessed the ball about 7% of the time he was on the floor. Considering there are 10 players on the court (and some are bigs, who generally will have a lower usage rate), he is the opposite of a ball-stopper.

  He does an incredible job of catching, ripping, and attacking in a straight line. That allows him to shoot his pull-up or get to the rim (see below).

  His decisiveness makes him quicker than he is, because he has a plan when he catches the ball.

• Playing off 2 feet in the paint

  Kon is not a high flyer. Despite that, he shot 57.5% at the rim. One major factor in his success is his skill at playing off 2 feet.

  Playing off 2 feet means he’s always on balance. It means he can pivot to create passing and finishing windows. It means he can use his strength to finish through defenders.

The Model You Should Be Following This Offseason

NBA players are incredible. I am often amazed at some of the things they can do:

• Anthony Edward’s dunking

• Luke Doncic 30-foot step-backs

• Donovan Mitchell’s combination moves & pull-up

• Tyrese Maxey's handle & finishing

When I see what those players can do, I think about how incredible it must be to have those gifts.

But the truth is, those gifts are as rare as one in a million. Not to burst your bubble, but odds are you’ll never do those things at that level.

And that’s okay! In fact, I bet your coach wouldn’t want or expect you to be dedicating your time to that. And even if they did, how many 30-foot stepbacks or triple combo pullups will you shoot in a game????

I bet they’d much rather you become great at the things that make Kon elite:

• Shooting

• Attacking on the catch

• Playing off 2 feet in the paint

Those are things every player can be good at. Not only that, but they are the things that happen multiple times every game, meaning you get more bang for your buck.

So what are you waiting for?

Want to Build Your Game Like Kon?

If you want to become a more effective player, you need more than just workouts—you need the right kind of training.

At Breakthrough Basketball Camps, you’ll learn the same types of game-like skills that make players like Kon Knueppel so successful:

• Catch-and-shoot shooting

• Attacking off the catch

• Playing under control in the paint

• Making quick, smart decisions

These camps are designed to help you develop skills that actually show up in games—not just flashy moves that look good in workouts.

You’ll get hands-on coaching, high-rep drills, and live game situations that build real confidence and real results.

Find a camp near you and start improving the right way!

Gain the Edge to
Stand Out on the Court

Breakthrough Basketball Camps help players improve their skills and decision-making while building the confidence to shine on and off the court. Trusted by over 150,000 players nationwide, our camps provide:

• Experienced coaches who know how to teach every level

• Skill development in shooting, ball handling, and all-around play

• Game-like situations that build confidence under pressure

• A positive, motivating environment parents can feel good about

• Beginner, Youth, and Advanced Camps - Ages 6 to 18

FIND A BASKETBALL CAMP NEAR YOU

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