We’re barely a third of the way through the 2025–2026 NBA season, and Kon Knueppel continues to leave me in shock and awe. After Monday night’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he became the fastest player in league history to hit 100 three-pointers – doing it in just 29 games. This isn’t a rookie simply finding his rhythm; this is the Charlotte Hornets’ best player on almost every single night.
Knueppel’s rookie season has quickly become one of the league’s most captivating storylines, and when it comes to the Rookie of the Year race, only one name truly stands between him and the award: Cooper Flagg.