The NBA released their end-of-season award finalists Sunday, and of course, former Duke Blue Devil and current Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel was included.

Knueppel ranked amongst the top rookies all season, averaging 18.5 points and leading the league in three-pointers made on an incredibly efficient 42.5% from downtown.

Knueppel earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in four out of five months during the 2025-26 season.

VJ Edgecombe (another ROY nominee) of the Philadelphia 76ers earned that distinction just once, in March.

Duke alum Cooper Flagg is the other nominee, taking home Western Conference Rookie of the Month in three months throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Kon Knueppel named NBA Rookie of the Year Award finalist