Buffs Beat

KJ Simpson Reacts To NBA Summer League Championship: Charlotte Hornets' MVP?

Former Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball standout guard KJ Simpson played a key role in helping the Charlotte Hornets win the 2025 NBA Summer League title. However, Duke's Kon Knueppel ultimately left Las Vegas with the championship game MVP award.
Jack Carlough|
Mar 28, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) gestures after making a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) gestures after making a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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Colorado BuffaloesCharlotte Hornets

Fresh off his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, former Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball point guard KJ Simpson is now an NBA Summer League champion.

Simpson and his fellow developing Hornets secured the 2025 NBA Summer League championship on Sunday with an 83-78 win over the Sacramento Kings, who featured former Buff-turned-Colorado State Ram Nique Clifford. In a game decided in the final minute, Simpson recorded a team-high five assists but was ultimately overshadowed by No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel's 21-point performance.

KJ Simpson Reacts NBA Summer League Championship MVP Snub Charlotte Hornets Kon Knueppel Colorado Buffaloes Mens Basketball
Jul 12, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) drives to the net against Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) in the fourth quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Kon Knueppel Gives KJ Simpson His Flowers

Knueppel, a one-and-done college player out of Duke, earned the championship game's Most Valuable Player award for good reason as Charlotte's highest scorer. However, the 6-foot-5 guard admitted that Simpson was the Hornets' most impactful player throughout the 10-day event in Las Vegas.

"Winning is always better than losing," Knueppel said, per Charlotte Hornets on SI. "Good competitive game, good to get out here with the guys. I probably didn't deserve it if it was a whole-week award. KJ was our best player all week. So props to him, man, he made me look good."

In a video posted by the NBA's official X account, Simpson gave praise to the MVP Knueppel and the rest of his Charlotte teammates.

"Kon, nah, he deserved that, man," Simpson said. "He played excellent this game. We all played excellent, it could have been anybody. I just wanted to go out there and help lead the team, just be a good vocal leader. It was a team win, shoutout to Kon. Shoutout to everybody, man."

Rising Star For Charlotte Hornets?

The 22-year-old Simpson averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game in six Summer League games while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from deep. Although Simpson is capable of being a more efficient scorer, the Hornets should be pleased with their former No. 42 overall pick's development.

Simpson spent three seasons playing for coach Tad Boyle at Colorado, averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 assists per game. During his final college season in 2023-24, the California native helped CU reach the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament and was a first-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection.

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KJ Simpson Reacts NBA Summer League Championship MVP Snub Charlotte Hornets Kon Knueppel Colorado Buffaloes Mens Basketball
Mar 24, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) dribbles against Marquette Golden Eagles guard Stevie Mitchell (4) during the first half at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Forever Buffs Shine In NBA Summer League

Simpson wasn't the only former Buff who turned heads in the NBA Summer League. Former No. 10 overall pick Cody Williams averaged 20.4 points for the Utah Jazz, Tristan da Silva scored 37 total points in two games with the Orlando Magic, and Clifford averaged 15.2 points.

Although Clifford ultimately found his groove with the Rams, Colorado has an impressive young core of former players in the NBA. Simpson, Williams and da Silva are all primed to take a step forward next season as second-year pro players.

Published
Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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