With the college basketball season now behind us, the focus shifts to the upcoming NBA Draft in June, where the next generation of talent will learn where their professional careers will begin. Among the most highly anticipated players are a trio of prospects from the Duke Blue Devils: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach. These three are all expected to be selected in the first round, with Flagg widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick. As the draft approaches, many are eager to see where they will land and how they will impact their respective teams at the next level.
Flagg has been a standout player for Duke this past season, and his talent has made him the consensus No. 1 pick. His combination of size, skill, and versatility has caught the eye of scouts across the NBA, and there is little debate that he will be the top selection when he declares for the draft. However, it’s the fate of Kon Knueppel that has sparked more discussion. After a strong performance in both the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, many experts are intrigued by where Knueppel could land. His shooting ability, along with his overall all-around game, has made him a highly coveted prospect.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony currently projects Knueppel to be selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 8 overall pick. The Spurs, who are already home to rising superstar Victor Wembanyama, would provide a promising environment for Knueppel to continue developing his game. With the guidance of All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, Knueppel would have the opportunity to grow alongside some of the brightest young talent in the NBA, making San Antonio one of the most exciting destinations for young players.
In addition to Flagg and Knueppel, Khaman Maluach is also expected to be selected in the top 10 of the draft, currently projected to go at No. 7 overall to the Toronto Raptors. This would mean that Duke could have three players taken in the top 10, a remarkable feat for the program and a testament to the strength of head coach Jon Scheyer’s recruiting and development efforts since the retirement of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. It’s clear that Duke’s recruiting prowess continues to attract top-tier talent, ensuring the Blue Devils remain a dominant force in college basketball.
While Kon Knueppel may have spent much of the season in the shadow of Flagg, he still delivered an outstanding individual campaign. Averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, Knueppel also impressed with his shooting efficiency, finishing the season with 47.9% shooting from the field, 40.6% from three-point range, and 91.4% from the free-throw line. As the NBA Draft approaches, it is clear that all three Blue Devils are poised for a bright future in professional basketball, and Duke fans will be watching closely to see where their players land.
