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Kinston Knueppel, Younger Brother of Duke’s Kon Knueppel, Is Now a Top Prospect

If the name “Knueppel” rings a bell in college basketball circles, it should.

Kon Knueppel, the silky 6’6” wing and sharpshooter from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, made national headlines in 2023 when he committed to Duke over a host of bluebloods. Now on campus in Durham, he’s already making waves as a potential starter for Jon Scheyer’s 2025 squad. But there’s another Knueppel making noise—and he might just be the next big thing.

Meet Kinston Knueppel, Kon’s younger brother. A rising sophomore, Kinston is quickly emerging as one of the top high school prospects in the country for the class of 2027. Tall, skilled, and remarkably polished for his age, the younger Knueppel has gone from “Kon’s little brother” to a name elite programs are tracking closely.

And if early signs are any indication, the Knueppel legacy is just getting started.

In most families, one elite basketball recruit would be enough to generate attention. But in the Knueppel household, basketball is the family business.

Their father, Kevin Knueppel, was a standout at Wisconsin Lutheran College and later became a coach. Their mother, Erica, also played collegiate basketball. The gym was never far away—and neither was competition.

“Growing up, it was always about working, competing, and trying to be better than the day before,” Kon said in a recent interview. “Kinston picked up on that early. He’s always been around it. Now he’s taking that mindset and making it his own.”

And how.

Kinston, a 6’4” combo guard at just 15 years old, plays with the poise of a seasoned vet. He led Wisconsin Lutheran’s JV team as an eighth-grader, then cracked the varsity rotation as a freshman. By midseason, he was starting—and producing.

In his first full varsity season, he averaged 17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, shooting nearly 49% from the field and 38% from three. He was named All-Conference First Team, becoming one of the youngest players in state history to earn the honor.

Recruiters noticed. Quickly.

Over the past six months, Kinston Knueppel has rocketed up the national radar. He impressed scouts during the 2024 Nike EYBL 15U circuit, where he led his Phenom University team to a championship appearance, averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 assists per game.

247Sports recruiting analyst Adam Finkelstein had this to say after watching him live in Indiana:

“Kinston Knueppel has all the feel, IQ, and shooting mechanics that made Kon so appealing as a prospect—but he might be even more advanced as a passer and primary ball handler at the same stage. He’s a top-25 guy in 2027 with a chance to climb much higher.”

Rivals and ESPN echoed the praise. ESPN’s Paul Biancardi tweeted in March:

“Get ready to hear the name Kinston Knueppel—a lot. Vision, control, and advanced footwork. Scary upside.”

As of April 2025, Kinston is a consensus top-30 prospect in the class of 2027, with several outlets projecting him to eventually crack the top 10.

1. Basketball IQ

The first thing coaches rave about is how mature Kinston’s game is. He rarely forces shots. He understands spacing. He keeps the ball moving and picks his spots—an uncommon trait in young scorers.

“He sees the floor two plays ahead,” said his high school coach, Ryan Walz. “He’s like a quarterback. He knows where guys are supposed to be before they even cut.”

Unlike Kon, who’s more of a pure wing and sniper, Kinston has grown into a true combo guard. He’s just as comfortable initiating offense, coming off screens, or creating off the bounce.

He’s been known to rack up double-digit assist games—and his tight handle and change-of-pace off the dribble make him a nightmare in the open floor.

At 6’4” with a lean frame and projected to grow another 2–3 inches, Kinston already has the measurables of a high-major guard. His jump shot is fluid, his release is clean, and he’s added a floater that gives him scoring versatility in the lane.

What separates him, however, is his footwork and balance—honed from years of training with his brother and father.

The million-dollar question: Will Kinston follow Kon to Duke?

It’s still early—Kinston can’t take official visits until his junior year—but he’s already on the Blue Devils’ radar. Assistant coach Chris Carrawell was spotted courtside at several of Kinston’s AAU games. Head coach Jon Scheyer is reportedly “very aware” of the younger Knueppel’s progression.

For his part, Kon’s doing some subtle recruiting.

“I’m not pushing him,” Kon laughed when asked. “But I tell him all the time—there’s no place like Cameron.”

Duke isn’t alone. Wisconsin, Marquette, Michigan State, Purdue, and Virginia have all expressed interest. Kentucky and Kansas have reached out as well. It’s only a matter of time before the offers start rolling in.

But Duke, thanks to family ties and recent success with Midwest players, may hold an early edge.

Carrying the Knueppel name in Wisconsin basketball circles carries weight. With Kon’s success, expectations for Kinston have ballooned. But those close to him say he’s unfazed.

“He doesn’t want to be Kon 2.0—he wants to be Kinston 1.0,” said his trainer, Marcus Landry, a former Wisconsin Badger. “He embraces the standard without being crushed by it.”

Kinston echoed that sentiment in a recent interview.

“Kon’s path is his. I’ve learned a ton from him, but I’ve got my own goals. I want to be the best version of me—and that means building my own name, on and off the court.”

Off the court, Kinston is known for his calm demeanor, humility, and focus. He’s a straight-A student, active in his church youth group, and a self-proclaimed “basketball junkie.”

His favorite players to study? Luka Dončić, Tyrese Haliburton, and—you guessed it—his older brother.

“He’s always breaking down film,” said his dad Kevin. “He’ll watch three games a night, asking me questions about ball screen reads, help-side rotations, you name it.”

That film obsession has turned him into a cerebral player—but he’s still just a teenager. He’s also into video games, Marvel movies, and has a surprisingly decent jump shot in 2K.

Kinston’s journey is only beginning, but the next year will be pivotal. He’ll play varsity again this season, now as the featured player on a state-title-contending team. He’ll continue on the EYBL circuit this summer, and by next spring, he’ll likely be a top-10 name in his class.

Recruiting interest will ramp up. National media attention will intensify. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Knueppels, it’s that they thrive in the spotlight—and they’re not in a rush.

“I’m just trying to stay hungry,” Kinston said. “If I keep working and stay grounded, everything else will take care of itself

First Kon. Now Kinston. And based on whispers from inside the Wisconsin Lutheran gym, there’s a younger cousin or two not far behind.

The Knueppels may very well be building a Midwest basketball dynasty, and Kinston’s emergence only adds fuel to the fire.

As the class of 2027 begins to take shape, don’t be surprised if the younger Knueppel continues his rise from promising prospect to elite national recruit—with Duke, perhaps, waiting in the wings.