Wisconsin Basketball Target Kon Knueppel Shares Insight on Recruiting Process

Now that the Wisconsin basketball coaching staff has 2024 four-star point guard Daniel Freitag in the fold, all eyes turn to top 25 in-state target Kon Knueppel as the potential crown jewel of the recruiting cycle.

Knueppel, a Wisconsin Lutheran standout and borderline five-star recruit, has been on an absolute scoring tear during the EBYL circuit this summer.

The 6-foot-6 three-point marksman averaged 22.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 50% from the field and a blistering 46.7% from beyond the arc.

Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Knueppel is the No. 25 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class and is currently considering Virginia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Louisville, Marquette, Stanford, and the Wisconsin basketball program.

Knueppel has already taken official visits to Virginia, Notre Dame, and Stanford, plus he has Ohio State and Louisville on deck. Marquette and Wisconsin have unofficial visits lined up toward the end of June, and a return trip to Notre Dame under the new coaching staff is also a strong possibility.

What is Kon Knueppel Looking For In a Potential Fit? 

Right now, Kon Knueppel is in the driver’s seat of his recruitment. Although his offer list is already impressive, given his play over the summer, his recruitment could introduce a whole new slew of teams capable of throwing a wrench into the mix.

But finding the right fit where he can develop his game and get him to the next level will be everything for the Wisconsin native.

“I’m going to be looking for a place where I can get better, a place that I will have the opportunity to play right away,” Knueppel said. “Winning will be big for me, too. I want to play for a team that will win. I can fit into a lot of different styles of play. Obviously, there are some things that are better about different programs, but I’ll look at all that, but I don’t think any one style or program sticks out with that.”

Can Wisconsin Basketball Pull This Recruitment Off? 

Right now, the belief is that Kon Knueppel is leaning toward Virginia or the Wisconsin basketball program. According to a report from Mark Miller, the Phenom University standout plans to visit Madison on June 21–which will be a significant opportunity for Greg Gard and his coaching staff to move the needle in their favor. 

“Being the hometown hero there [UW], that’s really intriguing,” Knueppel told reporters. “They have a great program, and they think I fit really well into how they play, and a lot of others also say I fit how they play.”

Knueppel has excellent size for his position and an overall terrific feel for the game. His jumper is pure, and I’d even argue he’s the top shooter in the entire 2024 recruiting cycle. In short, he’s an absolute bucket. 

“I can shoot,” Knueppel told On3’s Jamie Shaw in a recent interview. “The scouting report would be not to let me get to my spots and shoot. I just want to win. That is always my team’s goal, whatever it takes. This EYBL season, my team needed me to score, but winning is the goal.”

The in-state product has a game cookie cutter made for the Wisconsin basketball team but is also someone with the potential to develop into a future NBA draft pick if everything breaks right. 

This recruitment isn’t a must-win, but if coach Gard and the Badgers could find a way to add Knueppel into the fold for 2024, it would arguably become the best recruiting class in school history. 

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