Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel is on the verge of breaking a rookie record and making NBA history.
Kon Knueppel Chasing History: 9 Threes Away From Rookie Record
With 198 threes this season, he sits second all-time among rookies and leads the entire NBA in threes made this season. More impressively, he needs just nine more to break Keegan Murray‘s rookie record of 206, a milestone that would make him the first rookie ever to lead the league in three-pointers.
Leading the NBA as a Rookie
Knueppel currently tops the NBA with 198 three-pointers, ahead of Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (189) and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey (184). No rookie in NBA history has ever finished a season as the league leader in threes made. The 20-year-old is attempting something unprecedented, combining elite volume with remarkable efficiency.
His seven three-pointers against the Cavaliers on Friday night pushed him past Mitchell for second place on the all-time rookie list. It also solidified his league-leading position for the season. Knueppel’s consistency from beyond the arc has been staggering, he’s averaging 3.5 threes per game while shooting 43.5% from deep.
The Record in Sight
Keegan Murray set the rookie three-point record with 206 threes during the 2022-2023 season with the Sacramento Kings. Murray shot 41.1% from three that year, establishing what many thought would be an untouchable mark for first-year players.
Knueppel is close to breaking it. At his current pace, he’ll shatter the record within the next 2-3 games. The Hornets have 24 games remaining in the season, giving him ample opportunity to not just break Murray’s record but potentially put it out of reach for future rookies.
The top three of the all-time rookie three-point leaderboard currently reads:
- Keegan Murray(Kings, 2022-23): 206
- Kon Knueppel (Hornets, 2025-26): 198
- Donovan Mitchell (Jazz, 2017-18): 187
Knueppel has already passed Mitchell and several other legendary rookie shooters. Only Murray stands between him and history.
Historic Shooting Start
Knueppel’s three-point barrage began immediately. He set the record for fastest player to 50 three-pointers, reaching the milestone in his 15th game. By game 17, he had 63 threes, significantly ahead of the previous record of 47. In his 29th game, he became the fastest to 100 career threes, beating Lauri Markkanen‘s previous mark by 12 games.
Against the Wizards in Hornets last game, Knueppel made five threes while teammate LaMelo Ball hit 10, tying a franchise record. Their combined 15 three-pointers helped Charlotte match a team record with their seventh straight road victory.
“it’s cool,” Knueppel said when learning he’d taken over the NBA lead. “Credit to my teammates, and the coaches give me a lot of good opportunities to get good shots. And then just sticking with it, sticking with my mechanics and my confidence in my shot. It just seems like a lot of them are going in right now.”
Why It’s So Rare
Rookies leading NBA in three-pointers simply doesn’t happen. The league leader typically requires several factors: heavy minutes, a green light to shoot, elite efficiency, and a supporting cast that creates open looks. Rookies rarely possess all these elements simultaneously.
Most first-year players are still adjusting to NBA spacing and defense. They’re fighting for playing time, earning their coach’s trust, and learning offensive systems. Leading the entire league in a major statistical category is almost unheard of for rookies, let alone something as difficult as three-point shooting where veterans typically dominate.
Knueppel has all the ingredients. He’s playing 32.1 minutes per game for a Hornets team that plays at one of the fastest paces in the league. Head coach Charles Lee has given him complete freedom to shoot, and LaMelo Ball’s playmaking creates wide-open looks. Most importantly, Knueppel has proven he can hit those shots at an elite 43.5 % clip.
The LaMelo Connection
LaMelo Ball’s impact on Knueppel’s success cannot be overstated. Ball’s court vision and willingness to share the ball unlocked Knueppel’s shooting ability. When Ball penetrates, defense collapse, leaving Knueppel open on the perimeter.
The lineup featuring Ball, Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate has posted a staggering +30.6 net rating in 230 minutes together. That five unit has been one of the most effective in the entire league, with Knueppel’s spacing and shooting being a critical component.
Rookie of the Year Implications
Knueppel’s historic three-point shooting has thrust him into the Rookie of the Year conversation alongside Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, his former Duke teammate. The two have traded the top spot on the NBA’s Kia Rookie Ladder throughout the season, with Knueppel currently holding a slight edge.
Flagg entered the season as the consensus favorite, but Knueppel’s combination of elite shooting, consistent scoring (19.2 PPG), and winning impact has made the race competitive. He’s won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors three consecutive times, a feat that speaks to his sustained excellence.
Breaking the rookie three-point record and potentially leading the NBA in threes as a first-year player would be impossible to ignore in ROY voting. No rookie has ever accomplished what Knueppel is attempting, and doing so would cement his case for the award.
When Will He Break It?
At 3.5 per game, Knueppel should break Murray’s record within the next 2-3 games. The Hornets face the Bulls, the Pacers and Blazers in that span. These matchups are winnable, and Knueppel should have opportunities to launch from deep.
The NBA has taken notice, with the league’s official social media accounts highlighting Knueppel’s chase for history. The basketball world is watching to see if he can become the first rookie ever to lead the NBA three-pointers, a feat that would place him in rare company and validate his breakout season.
With 24 games remaining, Knueppel isn’t just chasing Murray’s record. He’s potentially targeting 250-plus threes for the season, which would obliterate the rookie mark and establish a new standard for first-year three-point shooting.
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