PLAYING for the Duke Blue Devils is not for the feint of heart, with the program constantly under the brightest lights, but Kon Knueppel has been able to shine on the big stage, and has played a big role in getting his team into the Final Four.

Although there are players with deeper bags than Knueppel, the 19-year-old has the tools to thrive at NBA level, and has proven the perfect Robin to Cooper Flagg‘s Batman this season. There are not many players that are more likely to slot into any of the 30 teams in the NBA, given his strengths do not require too much of the ball to contribute.

Knueppel is an excellent shooter, and is particularly damaging on the move, which works well considering how hard he works off-ball to get himself open. He is among the best shooters in the draft class, but also possesses strong playmaking skills and is an elite decision maker with nearly the strongest basketball IQ in the draft crop.

On the season, Knueppel is averaging 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 47.7 per cent and 40 per cent shooting from behind the arc as one of the best perimeter players in the NCAA.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Knueppel obviously drawing similarities to some of the best shooters in the NBA.

Klay Thompson – Dallas Mavericks

One of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Thompson and Knueppel look quite similar as prospects coming into the top level. Although mainly renowned as a perimeter shooter having forged an NBA career doing so, Thompson was quite a gifted passer coming out of college as well, but much like Knueppel, his one-wood was his work from behind the arc. A four-time NBA Champion, Thompson is fifth all time on the three-pointers made list, and is most certainly one of the greatest off-ball players to ever hit the court. Knueppel is very similar in his ability to contribute without needing too many touches, having done so for the Blue Devils this season, and if he can knock down shots from behind the arc as well as Thompson, it will greatly benefit the team that drafts him.

Desmond Bane – Memphis Grizzlies

Although different players from a physical standpoint, Bane and Knueppel have quite similar styles of play and boast the same strengths on the offensive end. Both are great shooters from behind the arc, have rock solid efficiency and are very valuable as backup playmakers in the backcourt. Neither boast extremely impressive athletic traits, but are undeterred in their pursuit of baskets. Since being selected with the final pick of the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, Bane has become a star for the Memphis Grizzlies, and is constantly averaging over 20 points per game. If Knueppel can deliver that level of production, it bodes well for his NBA career.

Joe Ingles – Minnesota Timberwolves

A familiar name for Australian basketball fans, Ingles has forged an 11-year NBA career as an excellent perimeter contributor with a great knowledge of the game. The Aussie is most known for his time on the Utah Jazz, where he helped the team compete for a title on a yearly basis and did not need too much of the ball to do so. However, like Knueppel, Ingles is deceptively clever with ball in hand and can create for others off the dribble. Although the veteran has been a better defender throughout his tenure, Knueppel boasts slightly more zip around the court, but the two have reasonably similar games.