Duke’s Kon Knueppel Makes Unfavorable NBA Draft Decision

Last season, the Duke Blue Devils recruited one of the top freshman classes in college basketball history.

Duke’s 2025 NBA Draft class includes Kon Knueppel, as well as past No. 1 overall talent Cooper Flagg, who is expected to be the first pick.

Knueppel, who had committed to the university as a top prospect, declared for the draft following his freshman season.

Knueppel was invited to the NBA Draft Combine, but his agent, Mark Bartelstein, stated that he did not participate in athletic testing or shooting drills due to an injury.

Bartelstein revealed that Knueppel is still recovering from an ankle injury.

According to Jonathan Givony, Bartelstein stated that Kon sprained his ankle three weeks ago and has yet to fully recover. “He’s currently at 85%, and we want him at 100%. He’s quite near. “Hopefully, he’ll be back by the end of the week and able to participate in our Pro Day on Friday.”

NEWS: Duke’s Kon Knueppel did not participate in the athletic testing or shooting drills portions of the NBA Draft Combine due to an injury, agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN.

“Kon sprained his ankle 3 weeks ago and is not all the way back yet,” Bartelstein said. “He’s at 85% now… pic.twitter.com/DbZc2SKkj4

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025

Knueppel is largely regarded as an NBA Draft lottery prospect following his freshman season with the Duke Blue Devils.

During his freshman season, Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He started all 39 games for the Blue Devils, guiding the team to a 35-4 record.

Under Knueppel, Duke won the ACC Tournament and received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel. Robert Deutsch-Images

Knueppel’s draft stock may be overshadowed by Cooper Flagg and possibly his Duke teammate Khaman Maluach, but he demonstrated during his freshman season at the collegiate level that he can have an immediate impact on any team.

Five-Star College Basketball Recruit Makes Significant Duke Statement

Despite being a junior, Jordan Smith, a five-star shooting guard, is already attracting interest from blue bloods, indicating that Duke may be on the rise.

Smith, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound recruit from Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Virginia, is the No. 6 overall player in the 2026 class and the top-ranked shooting guard, as per 247Sports.

He plays for Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit and has swiftly become one of the most in-demand athletes in the nation.

During a recent interview with Dushawn London of 247Sports, Smith emphasized Duke’s impressive performance.

“I really like Duke and how they’re changing the program around,” Smith told the crowd. “Whenever I went up to see the coaches, they always treated me like family. It was incredibly enjoyable. I saw my colleagues, and there was a wonderful mood amongst them.”

While the Blue Devils remain a perennial college basketball powerhouse, creating true connections on the recruiting path is what keeps them ahead under Jon Scheyer.

Smith’s focus on feeling like a “family” reflects what many previous Duke players have said as a reason for committing.

Although Smith has yet to schedule any formal trips, he is considering many elite schools.

“Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Duke, and Syracuse are some of the schools recruiting me the hardest right now,” he told me.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer speaks with guard Cooper Flagg. Rich Barnes-Images

Smith’s recruitment is likely to pick up during the summer as college coaches examine potential during live sessions, but with his early praise for Duke and strong Nike EYBL connections, the Blue Devils seem to be in a good position.

Smith’s decision is far from imminent, but Duke is obviously a program to keep an eye on throughout his recruitment.

THE BLAME GAME: Is Cooper Flagg Unfairly Being Held Responsible for Duke’s Tough Loss?

Duke’s epic Final Four collapse against Houston is haunted by the controversial Cooper Flagg penalty.

Cooper Flagg was called for a foul on J’Wan Roberts in the closing seconds of Duke-Houston in the Final Four.

On Saturday night in San Antonio, Duke suffered a devastating 70-67 Final Four loss to Houston due to a variety of factors. However, one moment may exacerbate the frustration of the fervent Blue Devil fan base more than any other.

Duke’s lead, which had been nine points with under three minutes remaining, was reduced to one with 25 seconds remaining on account of a turnover and a follow-up layup by Joseph Tugler.

Duke Junior Tyrese Proctor then missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Cooper Flagg was called for an over-the-back foul on J’Wan Roberts, which sent the sixth-year senior to the line.

Cooper Flagg called for a foul here. This gives Houston free throws on the other end. The announcers do not like the call pic.twitter.com/JwSNz6UWrB

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 6, 2025

Roberts composedly executed both ends of a one-on-one to provide Houston with its first lead since 4-2.

However, the debate regarding whether the contest should have been decided by those free throws will persist for an extended period.

Flagg was frantically attempting to retrieve the ball; however, it did not appear that Duke’s star freshman had truly sprinted over the edge.

CBS’ Bill Raftery stated during the call, “That appears to be a ruse to me.”

Grant Hill, a Duke luminary and colleague analyst, concurred, “I concur.”

“He was being excluded.” Raftery concluded the conversation with a “Wow.”

In the final seconds of Duke’s 70-67 Final Four loss to Houston on April 5, 2025, Cooper Flagg was penalised for a penalty on J’Wan Roberts.

The ball would have likely been in Houston’s possession regardless, as it would have deflected to the Cougars’ LJ Cryer.

However, it is a pity that an officiating controversy somewhat spoilt a classic Final Four matchup and epic revival, allowing the game’s most critical moment to be decided at the free-throw line.

Numerous individuals on social media expressed comparable sentiments.

“That was an absolutely appalling foul call against Cooper Flagg.” Certainly not. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN wrote on X, “No way.”

Cooper Flagg reacts to the foul. X

Warren Sharp, an NFL analyst, stated, “I fail to comprehend how this constitutes a Flagg foul.”

The foul was described as “ludicrous” and “atrocious” by others.

It was a component of what will be remembered as one of the most devastating losses in the program’s illustrious history.

In the final 10:31 of the game, Duke attempted only one field goal, a 3-pointer by Flagg that extended the lead to 64-55, as Houston’s unwavering defence maintained its dominance.

Jon Scheyer argues a call during Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston. Getty Images

Flagg had one final opportunity to recapture the lead for Duke, but his turnaround jumper was unsuccessful due to a well-defended defence. Houston subsequently made two additional free throws to extend the lead to three.

The epic collapse was completed by a desperate last shot by Proctor, which was well off.

Flagg, who scored 27 points and is now likely on his way to being the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft after an electrifying freshman season, stated, “It was an incredible season.”

Cooper Flagg’s expression during a press conference following Duke’s Final Four defeat to Houston was one of frustration. A.P.

A dejected Cooper Flagg walks off the court after Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

“I am going to have incredible relationships with incredible people for the rest of my life.” Although the year did not conclude as we had hoped, it was still an extraordinary year.

On Monday night, Houston will compete for the national championship against Florida, which defeated Auburn 79-73 in the first game of Saturday evening.