American college basketball player Kon II Knueppel got inspiration from his parents to pursue his career in basketball.
On November 12, 2024, the conference announced Duke basketball guard/forward Kon Knueppel as the 2024-25 season’s first ACC Rookie of the Week.
Highlights
- Kon II Knueppel has been named as the 2024-24 season’s first ACC Rookie of the Week.
- He was born to his father Kon and mother Chari Nordgaard Knueppel.
- Knueppel grew up with his four brothers: Kager, Kinston, Kash, and Kid.
The 6’7″ guard/forward from Milwaukee scored 22 points in the season-opening win over Maine, then dropped 15 points in Duke’s win over Army.
Over the first two contests, Kon averaged 18.5 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal per game in 29.5 minutes while shooting 56.5% from the field, including 50% from behind the 3-point arc.
Knueppel beat out teammate and fellow freshman Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 recruit this year, for the first Rookie of the Week honor.
Flagg also had an intense week for the Blue Devils, averaging 15.5 points, 9 rebounds, and four assists in 27.5 minutes across the first two games.
No. 6 Duke faces the Kentucky Wildcats in the State Farm Champions Classic this week, a big early-season test.
The neutral-site game will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta and will tip off at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Both Of Kon Knueppel’s Parents Were Standout College Basketball Players
A renowned college basketball player, Kon II Knueppel, 19, was born on August 3, 2005, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to his father, Kon, and his mother, Chari Nordgaard Knueppel.
His father used to play college basketball at Wisconsin Lutheran College and was the school’s all-time leading scorer until 2019.
Knueppel’s father, Kon, was inducted into the Wisconsin Lutheran Hall of Fame in 2014. He now coaches the Wisconsin Lutheran women’s basketball team.
On the other hand, his mother, Chari, 48, born in 1977, played basketball at Wisconsin-Green Bay and was the school’s leading scorer with 1,964 career points.
In addition to being active in volleyball, basketball, and softball, Chari played the baritone in the band, sang in the choir, and participated in the orchestra.
Chari was a four-year varsity starter at Dawson Boyd High School, playing volleyball and basketball from 1991 to 1995.
She was a two-time captain of both sports and held many career, season, and game school records.
Graduating with a degree in public administration, Chari played professional basketball in Greece for one year.
Returning to UW-GB in 2000, she served as an assistant coach under Kevin Borseth’s valued guidance for three years.
Kon Knueppel’s Family Has A History With European Descent
Although Kon Knueppel and his family live in the United States, his ancestors have a deep-rooted history with German heritage.
In addition, Kon and his family celebrate American and German culture and festivals. Therefore, Kon is of European-American ethnicity.
His family includes four brothers: Kager, Kinston, Kash, and Kid. Kinston has just commenced high school, while Kash is nearing the end of middle school, and his younger brother, Kid, is in seventh grade.
Knueppel’s uncles Klint, Klay, and Kole have also competed in the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament as the Flying Knueppel Brothers team.
Additional Information
- Kon Knueppel enrolled at Duke University in June 2024 to participate in the Blue Devils’ summer practices.
- He signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Blue Devils on November 15, 2023, during the early signing period.
- Knueppel helped Wisconsin Lutheran win the 2024 Boys Basketball Division 2 State Championship against Pewaukee and finish the season with a 30-0 record.
