What Duke is Getting in 2024 Sharp-Shooter Kon Knueppel

Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils pick up another 5-Star commitment, this time from Kon Kueppel. A 6’5 sharpshooter out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the class of 2024. Knueppel chose the Blue Devils over UVA and Wisconsin. Knueppel lead the EYBL regular season in scoring with a quick release and nearly 47% from beyond the arc. Knueppel is ranked currently in the top 20 by the majority of ranking services and he’s arguably the best shooter in the class – a skill that Jon Scheyer and company have obviously prioritized.

With a commitment that sort of, for lack or a better term, came out of nowhere and a name that a lot of Duke fans may not know – what are the Blue Devils getting in Kon Knueppel? They are getting a player that is on a steady track for improvement but a proven entity when it comes to shooting and scoring. Knueppel is far from just a scorer though, the 6’5 wing has expanded his game to be much more of a playmaker. He’s a kid that can handle the ball, he make the right plays for his teammates and plays with a good pace.

Offensively, Knueppel is known for putting the ball in the basket, especially from range but has a steady mid-range game as well. One of the things I like about his game is his strength – he has the ability to take a bump but still square up for his shot. He’s a guy that will be able to draw a lot of 3-point opportunities with that skill-set. Duke enjoys their wings and looks for versatility at the position Knueppel fits that mold for Jon Scheyer.  He’ll be a guy that can come off of screens, draw defenses, use his body against smaller players and a guy you can plug in at multiple positions. The unknown his how he will hold up defensively – a lot will depend on Duke’s scheme and the players around him.

Knueppel joins a class that currently includes Darren Harris, a guard who can light it up from beyond the arc but during the summer showed that he can also lead a team and Isaiah Evans one of the elite scorers in the 2024 class who’s size will make him a matchup nightmare. With the Blue Devils likely to lose Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese Proctor, Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell from their sophomore class and Ryan Young in his last year of eligibility the Blue Devils will need a big class – they are well on their way.