Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel brings the ball upcourt against the Miami Heat during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel was named a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie first team, the league announced Wednesday night.
Knueppel made the All-Rookie first team alongside Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, and Cedric Coward.
The 20-year-old guard from Duke finished second to Flagg in the NBA’s Rookie of the Year voting. Knueppel received a total of 386 points (44 first-place votes, 55 second-place votes, 1 third-place votes) compared to Flagg’s 412 points for the award.
Knueppel had an electric first season with the Hornets, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 81 games. He broke the NBA’s single-season rookie record with 273 three-pointers. He also set the single-season franchise record, passing Kemba Walker’s 260, and became the fastest player in NBA history to record 100 three-pointers.
Knueppel is the first Hornets player to be named to the NBA All-Rookie first team since Brandon Miller did it in the 2023-24 season.
The Hornets went 44-38 this season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference after losing the second play-in game to the Orlando Magic.
Charlotte picks No. 14 in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.
