Lead
Kon Knueppel reclaimed the No. 1 spot on this week’s Kia Rookie Ladder after the Charlotte forward reached the 200 three-pointers mark in his 58th game and boosted his season totals to 201 three-pointers through Tuesday, Feb. 24. That surge, plus strong overall efficiency, pushed him past his Duke roommate and longtime ladder leader Cooper Flagg, who has missed time with a left midfoot sprain. Knueppel’s shooting puts him on pace for historic percentage thresholds this season, while Flagg’s absence has created a clear opening in the weekly ranking. The Hornets’ blowout win in Chicago and Knueppel’s continued volume and accuracy are central to the shift atop the rookie standings.
Key Takeaways
- Kon Knueppel reached 200 three-pointers faster than any rookie in NBA history, logging the mark in 58 games and standing at 201 threes through Feb. 24.
- Knueppel is averaging 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season and was the No. 4 pick in the draft.
- Cooper Flagg (No. 1 pick) is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists but has missed eight games and sits on 999 total points due to a left midfoot sprain.
- Knueppel is on a statistical trajectory that could qualify him for the 50/40/90 club (50% FG, 40% 3PT, 90% FT) if current rates hold.
- Keegan Murray’s rookie high of 206 threes (2022-23) remains the single-season rookie mark Knueppel is closing in on.
- Other rookies in the top 10 include VJ Edgecombe (Rising Stars MVP), Derik Queen (rookie rebounding leader among starters) and Maxime Raynaud (11 double-doubles this season).
- Injuries are shaping the rookie race: Flagg’s missed games and Cedric Coward’s knee issue have altered playing time and ladder movement.
Background
The 3-point shot became an official NBA statistic in 1979-80, and it took decades before a rookie could approach the volume modern wings and guards attempt. Donovan Mitchell set a recent rookie benchmark with 187 triples in 2017-18; Keegan Murray raised that mark to 206 in 2022-23. The modern game’s spacing and pace have accelerated three-point opportunities for perimeter-oriented rookies, accelerating milestone clocks.
Knueppel, a 20-year-old guard-forward from Milwaukee who was selected No. 4, entered the season with recognized shooting ability and has translated college range into high-volume production at the NBA level. Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and Knueppel’s former Duke teammate and roommate, arrived with a broader two-way projection and has produced All-Star-caliber counting stats when healthy. The two have been the dominant narrative in the rookie conversation all season, frequently occupying the top two ladder positions.
Main Event
On Tuesday in Chicago, Knueppel drilled three of six attempts from long range in the Hornets’ decisive win, pushing his season total to 201 three-pointers. That outing allowed him to eclipse Donovan Mitchell’s recent rookie benchmark and close in on Keegan Murray’s 206. The speed at which Knueppel reached 200 threes — 58 games — is notable for its contrast with prior eras of the league.
Flagg’s absence has been consequential for the Mavericks and for the Rookie Ladder dynamic. The 19-year-old guard was scratched from the Brooklyn game with a left midfoot sprain, marking his fourth straight missed contest and leaving him stuck at 999 career points. The injury interrupted a run that had placed him in direct statistical comparison with elite rookies from past classes.
Beyond the two leaders, VJ Edgecombe captured Rising Stars MVP honors during All-Star Weekend and returned to add a 24-point performance with six threes at Minnesota. Derik Queen has emerged as a frontcourt facilitator, leading rookies in rebounds and assists for his role, while Maxime Raynaud has posted five double-doubles in his past 10 games and leads the class with 11 double-doubles total.
Analysis & Implications
Knueppel’s combination of volume and efficiency reshapes how teams evaluate rookie shooting in the modern era. Hitting 200 threes through 58 games is as much a product of contemporary offensive schemes as of the player’s mechanics; spacing, play design and pace generate more looks from deep than in previous decades. Still, converting at a high rate while taking that many attempts is uncommon and increases Knueppel’s standalone value to the Hornets.
If Knueppel sustains his current percentages, a 50/40/90 finish would be historically significant for a rookie and would strengthen arguments that shooting-specialist profiles can anchor efficient offense without heavy usage. For team construction, having a high-efficiency, high-volume shooter forces defenses to cover the perimeter, opening lanes for teammates and improving overall offensive flow.
Flagg’s injury illustrates a competing lesson: availability matters. The Mavericks’ offense feels the absence of their top pick, and Flagg’s missed time gives other rookies chance to climb the ladder and influence award narratives. For voters considering Rookie of the Year, sustained health and impact across the full season remain central criteria alongside peak per-game production.
Comparison & Data
| Rookie | Season 3PT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel (2025-26) | 201 (through Feb. 24) | Reached 200 in 58 games |
| Keegan Murray (2022-23) | 206 | Single-season rookie high (2022-23) |
| Donovan Mitchell (2017-18) | 187 | Previous modern-era rookie mark |
| Damian Lillard (rookie) | 185 | High-volume rookie outside shooter |
| Stephen Curry (rookie) | 166 | Early-career three-point production |
| Ray Allen | 117 | Notable veteran sniper |
| Klay Thompson | 111 | Rookie three-point totals |
| James Harden | 93 | High-usage perimeter creation |
| Reggie Miller | 61 | Earlier-era comparison |
The table shows how Knueppel’s current total stacks up against recent and historical rookies. Modern offensive systems have lifted volume across the board, but reaching 200 threes in fewer than 60 games remains exceptional.
Reactions & Quotes
Knueppel downplayed the collectibles noise and emphasized his focus on the court after the Hornets’ win; his comment to the Charlotte Observer underscored a rookie balancing newfound attention with routine preparation.
“He called me and… Like I’m not big into that stuff, so he was showing me the cards. I didn’t realize cards were doing what they’re doing now, so I guess I’m not tapped in.”
Kon Knueppel, quoted to the Charlotte Observer
Knueppel’s quote was offered after a teammate reportedly purchased some of his trading cards; the remark highlights how off-court attention follows rapid on-court success but is secondary to his game focus.
“One of the best abilities is availability.”
NBA coaches (aggregated comment)
Coaches often use that adage when assessing young players. Flagg’s absence has reminded evaluators that season-long availability can be decisive in award considerations and team planning.
“We want to help him get through this season and be a way better player than when he started. I’m not pro ‘Ace just bombing away to get stats and clicks.'”
Will Hardy, Utah Jazz head coach, quoted to the Salt Lake Tribune
Hardy’s comment about Ace Bailey illustrates coaching priorities for development over box-score production, a theme that affects rookie usage plans and weekly ladder movement.
Unconfirmed
- That Kon Knueppel will finish the season inside the 50/40/90 thresholds—current rates are promising but season-long qualification is not yet verified.
- The long-term market value of Cooper Flagg’s trading cards—reports suggest strong secondary-market activity but precise sale figures and sustainability are unverified.
- Any definitive projection that Flagg or Knueppel will secure Kia Rookie of the Year—voting remains open and influenced by games played, health and end-of-season performance.
Bottom Line
Kon Knueppel’s rapid climb to 201 three-pointers and his move to the top of the Kia Rookie Ladder reflect both personal shooting excellence and the structural tailwinds of the modern NBA. His efficiency and volume have altered the rookie narrative: he is not just a shooter in name, but a high-impact offensive piece whose presence materially changes opponent schemes.
Cooper Flagg’s injury has temporarily shifted the spotlight, but his per-game production keeps him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation once healthy. Through Feb. 24 the rookie race remains fluid—availability, end-of-season form and playoff relevance will ultimately shape awards and legacy lines for this class.