Can Hornets' Kon Knueppel make history as a rookie?

With the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel out of Duke. The rookie has appeared in 53 of the team's 54 games in 2025-26. Additionally, Knueppel has made 52 starts. 

After a rough start to the year as a team, the Hornets have bounced back nicely since mid-January. Before a loss on Monday to the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte had won nine consecutive games. 

Knueppel has been a difference-maker for the Hornets in his rookie year. The 20-year-old is doing so at an extremely efficient level. Knueppel is flirting with 50/40/90 shooting splits. This is when a player shoots at least 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc and 90% from the free-throw line. 

Can he become the first rookie in NBA history to join the 50/40/90 club?

Hornets' Kon Knueppel could accomplish something no rookie has before

Over the 80 seasons of the NBA, nine players have completed a 50/40/90 season.

Those who've accomplished that feat are Steve Nash (4x), Larry Bird (2x), Kevin Durant (2x), Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Steph Curry, Malcolm Brogdon and Kyrie Irving.