Kon Knueppel and the Curry comparison: what the numbers really say
Kon Knueppel is emerging as one of the most intriguing rookies in the NBA, with offensive skills and shooting numbers that already place him among the league’s most prolific shooters this season
Kon Knueppel has been turning heads in his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, effectively putting himself in the Rookie of the Year conversation thanks above all to a rare combination of three-point accuracy and volume.
With more than 140 made threes at midseason and over 43% from beyond the arc, he already finds himself alongside names like Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Maxey – eye-opening numbers for a first-year player.
Unlike many rookies, Knueppel has immediately become a key piece of the Hornets’ offensive production, carving out his role next to LaMelo Ball and even threatening to overtake more established players like Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges as the team’s secondary scoring option.
Quantity and quality: a complete shooter
It’s not just the percentages – impressive on their own – that stand out. The sheer volume of threes and shot attempts also speaks to the confidence and mentality of this young guard.
Compared to his peers, it’s the three-point volume that truly jumps off the page: Knueppel already ranks third in the NBA in made threes, attempting about eight per game, with only Jamal Murray shooting a better percentage among the top 10.
| Player | 3PTM | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 154 | 38.9% |
| Donovan Mitchell | 153 | 38.4% |
| Kon Knueppel | 143 | 43.5% |
| Tyrese Maxey | 140 | 40.0% |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 134 | 38.3% |
| Jamal Murray | 132 | 44.7% |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 131 | 37.6% |
| Trey Murphy III | 129 | 38.7% |
| Collin Gillespie | 125 | 42.1% |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 125 | 39.8% |
What kind of player can he become
From a comparative standpoint, the blend of youth, three-point efficiency, and consistency makes Knueppel a rare prospect. Very few rookies over the past 15 years have reached this level of production so quickly.
| Player | Rookie Season | 3PTA | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 2009/2010 | 4.8 | 43.7% |
| Kon Knueppel | 2025/2026 | 7.8 | 43.5% |
| Klay Thompson | 2011/2012 | 4.1 | 41.4% |
| James Harden | 2009/2010 | 3.3 | 37.5% |
| Damian Lillard | 2012/2013 | 6.1 | 36.8% |
| Donovan Mitchell | 2017/2018 | 7.0 | 34.0% |
| Jamal Murray | 2016/2017 | 4.2 | 33.4% |
It’s immediately clear that Curry is the only player who had a better rookie season in terms of three-point efficiency – albeit on far fewer attempts and in a very different NBA era – while Donovan Mitchell was the only one taking a similar volume of shots.
If Knueppel can even maintain these levels while continuing to improve as a playmaker and defensive reader, he could develop into an All-Star capable of making a real impact in clutch moments and the playoffs, with an influence that goes beyond raw statistics and is felt in any lineup he’s part of.