Hornets' Kon Knueppel named MVP of NBA Summer League championship game
Knueppel produced a team-high 21 points, five rebounds and two assists in an 83-78 win over the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center. He went 8-of-21 from the field, including 4-of-11 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes of action.
The fourth pick came up with a clutch 3-pointer and free throw in the final minute to hold off the Kings and help the Hornets claim their first title in the desert. Rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points and nine rebounds while Jaylen Sims, KJ Simpson and DJ Rodman each had 11 points.
Knueppel finished by averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals on 40.6% shooting from the field in five appearances. He missed one game on the second night of a back-to-back to manage a prior ankle injury suffered during the predraft process.
The soon-to-be 20-year-old has had a productive run this summer, showcasing himself at a high level in each appearance. He is a part of a stacked rookie class for the Hornets and has helped create plenty of anticipation heading into next season.
The Hornets capped off their stay in Sin City with a 6-0 record. Knueppel and the group will look to carry their momentum, fresh off a title, into next season under second-year coach Charles Lee.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Hornets news: Kon Knueppel named NBA Summer League title game MVP
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