Blue Devil Country

Five-Star 'Believes in What Duke Basketball Is All About'

In Kon Knueppel, Duke basketball inked one potential sharpshooting captain.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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One of four five-star prospects and five overall future Blue Devils who signed with the Duke basketball program last week, Wisconsin Lutheran High School forward Kon Knueppel is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound facilitator and bucket-getter who ranks 16th on the 247Sports 2024 Composite. He shot 47.5 percent from downtown in this year's Nike EYBL play.

This week, second-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer explained what he likes about Knueppel's game, including (but not limited to) his heralded sharpshooting.

"Kon Knueppel is going to be such a great addition to 'The Brotherhood,'" Scheyer noted in the series of videos that the Duke basketball social media team posted to officially announce what currently stands as the nation's top-ranked class. "What drew us to Kon is his competitiveness, his toughness, and his great feel for the game.

"He can shoot with the best of them and can score with the best of them. But it's his ability to make others better — to pass, to handle — and he's a tough competitor on the defensive end as well. And that versatility, with that winning pedigree that he brings to the table, will be terrific for our program."

Knueppel, the third to pledge allegiance to Scheyer in the cycle and the first of three this fall, committed to the Blue Devils in September, less than a week after his official visit. He looks like a potential "glue guy" in Durham.

"He's a guy that believes in what Duke basketball is all about," Scheyer added. "It's been great to get to know him — oldest brother of five.

"You see him as a brother, as a person, as a teammate, and we just can't wait to get him here to be a part of our program."

Jon Scheyer: 2024 Duke Signee Can Do 'Whatever You Need'

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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