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Kon Knueppel dunks over defender during first Duke basketball exhibition

VaselineOctober 19, 2024

5 1 minute read

Kon Knueppel dunks over defender during first Duke basketball exhibition

Few freshmen have captured as much attention from the Duke basketball fandom so far this offseason as Kon Knueppel, and Knueppel’s hype train somehow gained even more momentum during Saturday’s exhibition against the Lincoln Lions .

The five-star freshman made five 3-pointers in the first half against the Lions, but his most impressive moment came after the break. After a rebound from classmate Khaman Maluach, Knueppel cut the baseline towards the basket.

Maluach served it to his teammate, and Knueppel jumped up and hit the ball over 6-foot-1 Lincoln forward Ethan Garita.

The coolest part of the play? Knueppel’s classmates celebrated harder than he did. Cooper Flagg, the nation’s top-ranked player, tensed as he stomped back onto the field, and Maluach pumped his fists in triumph as he returned to defense.

ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony ranked Knueppel as the sixth-best NBA draft prospect after watching a Duke basketball practice, and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein mentioned the Wisconsin native for how impressive he looked after a trip to Durham.