Thanks, I really don't remember Dieng the prospect at all. I don't even remember watching him at all in the NBA
Following Potential 2025 Draftees
- Thread starter Elizah Huge
- Start date
Okay, but can he legitimately play as a big in the NBA? People are right to not know with Essengue. He doesn't fit an archetype that's had a lot of success in the NBA.
Kon Knueppel is the best pure shooter in the 2025 NBA Draft class and one of the best all-around prospects in the entire class.
Let’s take a look at his overall shooting package from three:
- 40.6% from three overall (84/207)
- 43.3% C&S threes (77/178)
- 42.9% guarded C&S threes (36/84)
- 43.6% unguarded C&S threes (41/94)
These are ELITE shooting numbers overall especially his C&S threes percentage. Kon is a dead-eye shooter.
- 38.6% threes off screens (17/44)
- 39.4% transition threes (13/33)
Kon didn’t get as much shooting opportunities off of screens or in transition as he should have but when he did he knocked them down. His C&S numbers above show exactly why he should have received more opportunities.
- 56.7% from two overall (97/171)
- 46.7% PnR twos (21/45)
- 63.1% finishing (77/122)
These numbers show that Kon is not just a three-point shooter. He scored the ball at an extremely high level inside the arc as well.
- 62.3% at the rim overall
- 62.1% at the rim in halfcourt (59/95)
- 33% rim rate
One part of his game that I believe is underrated is his ability to get to the rim and finish. Kon is an extremely good finisher in the paint off of two feet.
He shot 91.4% from the free-throw line (117/128) punishing teams for fouling him.
Knueppel was one of the most efficient offensive players in college basketball averaging 1.21 PPS on all shots and 1.14 PPP overall.
He finished with a 15.7 AST% which is higher than you’d think after first glance.
Kon had a great connection as the PnR ball handler with Khaman Maluach as the roll man which showcased his passing ability and upside.
He also had a 31.4 BTP% (big-time passes percentage)
Kon lead Duke to an ACC Tournament Championship victory while bringing home MVP honors after Cooper Flagg went down with an ankle injury.
He averaged 21 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.7 SPG in three games in the ACC Tournament showcasing his all-around game.
Knueppel also held his own defensively with some eye popping defensive numbers. Here is what percentage his opponents shot against him:
- 30.7% All FGA Against (85/277)
- 33.7% C&S (33/98)
- 24.5% OTD Jumpers (23/94)
- 31.8% Around the Rim (14/44)
He had a 130.7 offensive rating this year which is the 12th highest for a Freshman since 2008.
Duke was +32.4 in net rating this season with Knueppel on the floor vs off. He is just a winning basketball player full stop.
Kon is a very malleable player and I think he is someone that any team would be lucky to have. He can play off of/with any type of player and succeed. I absolutely believe he could be a starter on a championship team in the NBA.
Let’s take a look at his overall shooting package from three:
- 40.6% from three overall (84/207)
- 43.3% C&S threes (77/178)
- 42.9% guarded C&S threes (36/84)
- 43.6% unguarded C&S threes (41/94)
These are ELITE shooting numbers overall especially his C&S threes percentage. Kon is a dead-eye shooter.
- 38.6% threes off screens (17/44)
- 39.4% transition threes (13/33)
Kon didn’t get as much shooting opportunities off of screens or in transition as he should have but when he did he knocked them down. His C&S numbers above show exactly why he should have received more opportunities.
- 56.7% from two overall (97/171)
- 46.7% PnR twos (21/45)
- 63.1% finishing (77/122)
These numbers show that Kon is not just a three-point shooter. He scored the ball at an extremely high level inside the arc as well.
- 62.3% at the rim overall
- 62.1% at the rim in halfcourt (59/95)
- 33% rim rate
One part of his game that I believe is underrated is his ability to get to the rim and finish. Kon is an extremely good finisher in the paint off of two feet.
He shot 91.4% from the free-throw line (117/128) punishing teams for fouling him.
Knueppel was one of the most efficient offensive players in college basketball averaging 1.21 PPS on all shots and 1.14 PPP overall.
He finished with a 15.7 AST% which is higher than you’d think after first glance.
Kon had a great connection as the PnR ball handler with Khaman Maluach as the roll man which showcased his passing ability and upside.
He also had a 31.4 BTP% (big-time passes percentage)
Kon lead Duke to an ACC Tournament Championship victory while bringing home MVP honors after Cooper Flagg went down with an ankle injury.
He averaged 21 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.7 SPG in three games in the ACC Tournament showcasing his all-around game.
Knueppel also held his own defensively with some eye popping defensive numbers. Here is what percentage his opponents shot against him:
- 30.7% All FGA Against (85/277)
- 33.7% C&S (33/98)
- 24.5% OTD Jumpers (23/94)
- 31.8% Around the Rim (14/44)
He had a 130.7 offensive rating this year which is the 12th highest for a Freshman since 2008.
Duke was +32.4 in net rating this season with Knueppel on the floor vs off. He is just a winning basketball player full stop.
Kon is a very malleable player and I think he is someone that any team would be lucky to have. He can play off of/with any type of player and succeed. I absolutely believe he could be a starter on a championship team in the NBA.
I wish he were a bit bigger, but he's got juice off the dribble. He'll need to learn to finish better and will probably need to work in floaters. He also needs to be able to shoot off the dribble from deep. In that sense, he's underdeveloped, but the baseline of talent is certainly there to be an exciting, dynamic guard in a few years.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK7NLVqiiOI
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK7NLVqiiOI
Something that really stood out to me when evaluating Kon further is his lack of off the dribble jumpers and isolation scoring.
Tre clears him so much in that department it’s not even funny. That’s quite honestly the biggest difference in their games.
Tre clears him so much in that department it’s not even funny. That’s quite honestly the biggest difference in their games.
FalseFlagg K
Well-Known Member
what does all this look like against NBA quality athletes / defenses given his lack of athleticism ??
This dude POPS on tape.
The size is an issue and I do wonder if he’s duplicative to Keynote but I think he’s a better playmaker.
If we don’t trade out of 5, I hope we move down for him or Kas. Or just take them there, whatever.
Basketball Novice
Active Member
I think it will largely look the same. The catch and shoot stuff should look the same, just a little farther out. And its not like Kon gets much separation on his drives at the college level, its mainly strength in the right spots to create an opening to shoot or finish. Or its just finishing through contact. All the small bumps and fakes and other crafty moves should still work. I wonder if the excessive amount of pump fakes will still work if NBA bigs are more disciplined and stay grounded but I would be bullish overall.
FalseFlagg K
Well-Known Member
i'll be fascinated to see. I just don't see how he can do all the same stuff in the NBA but i could easily be wrong
If the Jazz decide they want Fears, they probably need to take him at 5.
View: https://x.com/NetsPressReport/status/1925023950037192763
The Jazz Wonderbra
Well-Known Member
Don't Danny Ainge and the 76rs hate each other? Maybe it is just the Celtics and 76rs but Ainge was a big reason for that.
I could see every reason why both teams make a trade like this, but does price get in the way? I also think the 3rd pick + PG13 for an All Star in his prime is not enough. 76rs would need to toss in more imho.
The Jazz Wonderbra
Well-Known Member
This x 10. PG13 is rated X rated now.
Taking his contract is worth 1 first in and of itself. I think Lauri for the 3rd pick is a very fair deal for Philly. Trading a 3rd pick in a 2 deep draft for a proven all star is good business.
Being down on Lauri in a year we were tanking like no tomorrow is silly. People who sell low on Lauri would be disappointed watching him thrive somewhere else next season.
Taking his contract is worth 1 first in and of itself. I think Lauri for the 3rd pick is a very fair deal for Philly. Trading a 3rd pick in a 2 deep draft for a proven all star is good business.
Being down on Lauri in a year we were tanking like no tomorrow is silly. People who sell low on Lauri would be disappointed watching him thrive somewhere else next season.
Yeah but they’re both pale skinned.. so it’s easier to see similarities.
You are sharing a tweet from someone with 189 followers..
That's always been the case. He's not slipping to 21.
I don't think he's undersized. I'm not projecting him to be a better playmaker than Keyonte, though. He might be at about the same level, but people underrate Keyonte's playmaking. Fears is a good, not great passer, with good, not great vision/awareness.
It sticks out when watching the film as well. His on ball stuff was like 90% PNR with Khaman. Honestly, very reminiscent of Joe Ingles/Rudy Gobert.
