Earlier this week, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel shared that he’s modeled his game after Klay Thompson, citing the Dallas Mavericks guard’s shooting mechanics, off-ball movement, and two-way mentality as major influences. The message reached Thompson, and his response was pretty epic:
“Thanks for the words of trying to model your game after me,” Thompson said in a video message. “It makes me feel kind of old, but also very appreciative of great young athletes like yourself who are coming to take over the league and carry on the torch of what we started”.
📱 Klay Thompson had a special message for Kon Knueppel:
“Thanks for the words of trying to model your game after me. It makes me feel kind of old, but also very appreciative of great young athletes like yourself who are coming to take over the league and carry on the torch…” pic.twitter.com/SgFw9KJ5f3
— r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) July 19, 2025
Thompson didn’t stop there. He praised Knueppel’s standout freshman season at Duke, comparing it to the legendary Fab Five run of the early ’90s.
“What you and Cooper [Flagg] did last season and the rest of the guys—an incredible run, especially for a bunch of freshmen. That’s unheard of, really some Fab Five stuff”.
Knueppel, selected No. 4 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting over 40% from three-point range at Duke. His polished offensive game and high basketball IQ have drawn comparisons to Thompson, especially in terms of his ability to score efficiently without dominating the ball.
Thompson also offered advice:
“Never lose that confidence that got you here, especially when shooting the basketball. I heard you aspire to be a two-way player, and that’s something I prided myself on for a long time. I can still guard now—don’t think my days of guarding are long gone”.
Knueppel was visibly moved by the message.
“To hear that from someone I’ve studied and tried to emulate—it gives me a lot of confidence going into my rookie year,” he said in a recent interview.
As the Hornets continue their rebuild around young talent, Knueppel is expected to play a prominent role. And with Thompson’s words echoing in his mind, he’ll enter his rookie season not just with a blueprint, but with a blessing.
