Inside The Rockets

NBA Mock Draft: Rockets Take Talented Duke Freshman

The Houston Rockets could add another blue blood prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Jeremy Brener|
Wisconsin Lutheran High School's Kon Knueppel (33) goes up for a layup against Pewaukee High School in the Division 2 state championship game during the WIAA state boys basketball tournament on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lutheran High School's Kon Knueppel (33) goes up for a layup against Pewaukee High School in the Division 2 state championship game during the WIAA state boys basketball tournament on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have a mountain of prospects that they have added over the years, but they could look to add to it in next summer's draft.

With the No. 12 overall pick in Bleacher Report analyst Jonathan Wasserman's mock draft, the Rockets selected Duke forward Kon Knueppel.

"Any preconceived concerns about Kon Knueppel's athleticism should fade once he shows off his scoring instincts and shooting," Wasserman writes. "Duke also listed him at 6'7", 217 pounds, solid numbers for a wing if they check out in May at the NBA combine. His 22.5 points per game led the EYBL last year, and his physical build and shotmaking hint at translatability. Even if he comes off the bench after Duke added transfers Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis and Sion James, Knueppel's skill level, IQ and efficiency should pop similar to how Reed Sheppard did in a reserve role at Kentucky."

Knueppel, 19, will have to compete for playing time in a talented Duke recruiting class, but he is expected to get enough opportunity to potentially become a lottery pick.

It remains to be seen what Knueppel's exact role will be with Duke and the NBA, but he has the size and repertoire that's needed of an NBA wing and that's even before he steps foot onto campus at one of the country's best schools for basketball and a professional locker room.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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