Cooper Flagg Hypes Kon Knueppel as 'Such a Safe Pick' in 2025 NBA Draft After Lottery

Cooper Flagg views a Duke teammate as another excellent option for team's at the 2025 NBA Draft.

Following the 2025 NBA Draft combine, the projected No. 1 pick expressed support for fellow prospect and Blue Devil teammate Kon Knueppel

“I know he’s going to be great," Flagg said of Knueppel, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. "He’s solid in so many different ways. He’s able to impact the game at a high level. He’s such a safe pick. There’s not really a lot of downside to taking Kon. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get taken with a high pick.”

Knueppel was projected as the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman in his latest mock draft. He possesses a 6-foot-6, 217-pound frame and was named NCAA All-Region, All-ACC and was the MVP of the ACC Conference Tournament.

He was a fellow freshman in Flagg's class and proved to be a big contributor to Duke. Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, four rebounds and 2.7 assists in 39 games for the Blue Devils in 2024-25.

He could be a solid contributor who adds to a team's guard depth. The Houston Rockets currently hold the 10th pick, so adding a player like Knueppel to a team that earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference could be what pushes them towards a deeper postseason run.

With the Rockets being a contender to trade the pick, Knueppel also could be a player to target for a team looking to enter a rebuild.

The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25-26 in Brooklyn.