CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a thrilling turnaround during the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday night, a Duke freshman secured the Most Valuable Player accolade, but it wasn’t the anticipated Cooper Flagg.
Instead, Kon Knueppel stepped into the spotlight.
With Flagg sidelined for most of the tournament due to a sprained ankle, the 6-foot-7 Knueppel rose to the occasion, showcasing his ability to lead for the top-seeded Blue Devils. Their triumph over No. 13 Louisville with a score of 73-62 marked their second championship in three years under the guidance of coach Jon Scheyer.
Knueppel’s performance was nothing short of consistent. He maintained an average of 21 points on an impressive 48.7% shooting, coupled with 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists over the course of three games. This earned him the prestigious tournament MVP title, a notable leap from his season averages of 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
While Flagg has often been the center of national attention, upcoming NCAA Tournament opponents should be wary of Knueppel, the talented freshman hailing from the Milwaukee area.
“He’s so solid and made so many winning plays,” remarked Scheyer.
Knueppel delivered a standout 28-point performance in Duke’s quarterfinal matchup against Georgia Tech, a game where Flagg exited early after an unfortunate mishap stepping on an opponent’s foot.
Despite this, Knueppel maintained his momentum throughout.
“I didn’t really feel like I tried to turn it up a notch,” Knueppel explained regarding Flagg’s absence. “I was trying to make the right play. With Cooper being out, I knew I had to shoulder some of the burden, especially with the increased minutes. So, I focused on staying sharp. Nothing spectacular. Nothing crazy.”
Knueppel is recognized as one of Duke’s elite shooters, boasting over 40% accuracy from beyond the arc. However, on a night when his 3-point shots were not connecting—he went 0 for 5—he adapted by delivering damage through drives and securing baskets amidst heavy defense. He also took advantage of opportunities at the foul line, converting all six attempts.
His success throughout the tournament did not come as a surprise to Scheyer, who had been impressed with Knueppel’s abilities after observing him at an NBA camp. The camp environment presented a different challenge than high school or AAU tournaments, demanding players to rely more on their individual skills.
“I saw his ability to create shots for himself, and then I saw his ability to guard,” Scheyer reflected. “And more importantly, I witnessed his competitive spirit. After that, I knew he belonged at Duke. From then on, our team was fully committed to bringing him to Duke.”
Scheyer added with a smile, “I’m sure glad he chose Duke.”
Flagg will make his return for the NCAA Tournament.
However, if the ACC Tournament results are any indication, the Blue Devils are far from being a one-man band centered around Flagg. The team boasts a wealth of talent, a robust bench lineup, and a defense-driven ethos.
This formidable combination is an intimidating prospect for opposing teams as Duke, poised to snag the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, embarks on their quest for a sixth national title in the upcoming weeks.
