Kon Knueppel turned the starter of the dialog after successful Summer season League Championship MVP honors.
The fourth total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft scored 21 factors and 4 three-pointers in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets 83-78 Sacramento Kings.
Knueppel has established himself as one of many draft’s premier shooters and continues to look at his repute all through the summer time league play.
Duke merchandise have brazenly expressed his need to observe Klay Thompson’s path to changing into an elite shooter and two-way guard.
Earlier than claiming MVP honors, Kon Knueppel acquired direct encouragement from Klay Thompson himself.
The Dallas Mavericks Guard offered recommendation on sustaining confidence in capturing whereas growing defensive expertise and making a mentor-mentee relationship that advantages the event of the rookie.
“I am grateful for the phrases you tried to mannequin your sport. I am not solely am I outdated, however I am additionally very grateful to the good younger athletes like your self who come to take over the league,” Thompson mentioned. “I do not lose the boldness I’ve come right here, particularly after I’m filming basketball.”
Thompson highlighted the significance of two-way play and highlighted his personal satisfaction in his defensive means all through his profession.
The veteran guard particularly highlighted how defensive versatility extends the general impression of gamers’ lifespans and victory on basketball.
“I heard you’re aiming to be a two-way participant, and that is what I’ve been pleased with myself for thus lengthy and I can nonetheless be on my guard.
Knuppel additionally shared that he’s stealing two elements of Thompson’s sport.
The rookie recognized Thompson’s capturing basis and his psychological strategy to any night time as key areas of analysis.
This jogs my memory of a serious Thompson with the Golden State Warriors through the Splash Brothers period.
“He has a reasonably broad base, so I am attempting to set my very own legs and get your shoulders set,” Knupel defined. “Typically you do not get pictures, and there is lots of space that impacts the sport.”
“Typically there is no shot in. I take each shot that may nonetheless be open. It is cool for us,” he mentioned.
Knuppel demonstrated his means to affect victory by surpassing scores throughout summer time league play. The rookie confirmed the flexibility that attracted Charlotte’s entrance workplace by contributing by way of rebounding, defensive power and playmaking when the pictures weren’t falling.
His defensive fuss all through the championship run displays Thompson’s affect and the two-way strategy he needs to develop.
“I am going to put within the suggestions, get a little bit extra rebound, or ensure my friends aren’t scoring. I am going to defend at a excessive degree or play for my teammates,” Knuppel mentioned, outlined a complete strategy that influences the sport.
Whereas reaching Thompson’s degree stays a key problem, Charlotte seems to have secured a promising two-way expertise who understands what it takes to contribute to successful basketball on the highest degree.
