How Kon Knueppel’s Performance at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine Elevated His Stock and Silenced Doubters Across the Basketball World

Kon Knueppel arrived at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago with plenty to prove and even more to gain. Once a high-profile recruit out of Wisconsin Lutheran High School and a freshman contributor at Duke, Knueppel had been labeled everything from a future NBA role player to an overhyped perimeter shooter. Questions swirled around his athleticism, defensive capabilities, and ability to create his own shot at the next level. But by the end of the week in Chicago, many of those doubts had dissipated, and Knueppel left the combine as one of the biggest risers among draft hopefuls.

Knueppel’s week began with the measurements that set the tone for everything else. Standing at a true 6-foot-6 without shoes and with a wingspan of just under 6-foot-8, he showcased better-than-expected physical traits. Weighing in at 213 pounds, he presented a strong, NBA-ready frame that caught the attention of scouts who had previously questioned his strength and agility. His body fat percentage was one of the lower marks among wings, and he looked leaner and quicker than he had during Duke’s season. Those baseline metrics already started to shift narratives.

It wasn’t just about how he looked—it was how he moved. During the athletic testing portion of the combine, Knueppel impressed with his lateral agility and change-of-direction quickness. His three-quarter sprint time and shuttle run were both among the top-third for wings, and his vertical leap—clocking in at 35.5 inches—was another eyebrow-raiser. That leaping ability, especially off two feet, showcased how much athletic development he had made since arriving at Duke. His functional explosiveness now looked sufficient to hold up against NBA-caliber athletes, a major win for his draft projection.

But where Knueppel truly shined—and where his stock skyrocketed—was during the 5-on-5 scrimmage games. These sessions separate the speculative from the practical. Every year, prospects with glossy résumés fail to perform when placed in real-game situations, while others rise because they simply know how to play. Knueppel was the latter. His performance over the two days of scrimmages was a masterclass in basketball IQ, shot-making, and unselfishness. He led his team in scoring on both days while shooting over 50 percent from the field and nearly 60 percent from three-point range. Every shot looked smooth and purposeful. Every cut was timely. Every decision was deliberate.

What stood out most wasn’t just the scoring, though that was clearly a highlight. It was his passing and floor vision that left scouts buzzing. Knueppel racked up assists by making the extra pass, threading the needle on bounce feeds in traffic, and initiating offense with confidence from the wing and the top of the key. His assist-to-turnover ratio was one of the best in the scrimmages, reinforcing his reputation as a high-feel player with an understanding of when to push, when to pull back, and how to keep teammates involved.

Defensively, Knueppel didn’t post flashy steal or block numbers, but he was solid—fundamentally sound in rotations, active on closeouts, and alert in transition. He stayed in front of quicker guards and battled bigger wings in the post. While not a lockdown defender, he proved capable enough to hold his own, especially when surrounded by athletic teammates. His defensive communication was also notable, as he constantly directed traffic and helped his team stay organized. That maturity and leadership on the defensive end was a quiet but crucial part of his combine success.

Perhaps the biggest benefit for Knueppel came in the form of team interviews and private workouts. Multiple reports from front office personnel described Knueppel as “exceptionally mature” and “one of the most professional interviews of the week.” Teams loved his poise, his honest self-assessment, and his deep understanding of the game. He spoke at length about film study, his development under Jon Scheyer at Duke, and his desire to continue evolving his game. Some executives remarked that Knueppel carried himself like a 10-year NBA veteran despite being just 19 years old.

That professionalism, combined with his on-court performance, began shifting his draft range. Whereas Knueppel had previously hovered in the late first round or even early second in some mock drafts, post-combine projections now have him firmly in the top 20, with several teams in the lottery said to be considering him depending on how the top of the board plays out. Scouts now view him as a plug-and-play prospect—someone who can immediately contribute as a shooter and passer in a bench role, with potential to grow into a starting-caliber wing depending on team context and fit.

One talent evaluator from the Western Conference said Knueppel’s showing “erased all doubt” and even compared him to a younger version of Joe Ingles with more athleticism. That comparison resonated: a smart, versatile wing who can shoot, pass, and think the game at a high level. Another scout from an Eastern Conference playoff team said Knueppel could “step into a playoff series and not look out of place,” which is high praise for a teenager entering the league. That kind of statement reflects not only belief in his skill set, but trust in his mental makeup.

Beyond the analytics, what makes Knueppel’s combine story compelling is the narrative arc. He was a top-20 recruit, but one who arrived at Duke without the fanfare of a one-and-done superstar. He played a supporting role during his freshman year, occasionally flashing brilliance but often deferring to others. In a world of highlight tapes and hype machines, Knueppel was easy to overlook. But his performance at the combine proved that he thrives in real games, against real competition, under real pressure.

This week wasn’t just about numbers—it was about feel, and Knueppel has that in abundance. Whether it’s slipping a screen at the perfect time, relocating off-ball for a clean look, or making a skip pass that most wings wouldn’t even see, he has the kind of instinctive understanding that NBA coaches value deeply. It’s the type of game that doesn’t always show up in a box score but shows up in winning plays. And at the NBA level, that’s exactly what teams need from their wings.

Another important aspect is adaptability. Knueppel showed he can be effective with the ball or without it. He ran second-side pick-and-rolls with poise and spaced the floor with confidence when off-ball. In an NBA that increasingly values versatility and decision-making, his skill set fits seamlessly into a wide variety of offensive systems. Teams envision him as someone who can mesh with star players, help orchestrate bench units, or become part of a switch-heavy defensive scheme that values awareness and communication over raw athleticism.

By the end of the week, Kon Knueppel had done what so few manage to do: completely reframe the conversation around his game. From a borderline first-rounder to a legitimate top-20 candidate, his combine was a launchpad. He proved he has the tools, the mindset, and the ceiling to be an impactful NBA player. And perhaps most importantly, he proved it when it mattered most, on the biggest pre-draft stage.

As the NBA Draft approaches, it’s clear that Knueppel has moved beyond the label of “just a shooter” or “high IQ glue guy.” He’s now seen as a legitimate two-way wing prospect with starting potential, a player whose stock rose not because of hype, but because of substance. He was one of the most complete players at the combine, and teams took notice. If he lands with the right franchise, it’s entirely possible that in a few years, we’ll look back at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine as the week that launched a long and productive NBA career.