Kon Knueppel’s Little Brother Kager Just Made Duke’s 2027 Class a Lot More Interesting

Duke keeps stacking talent. And this time, it’s a last name Blue Devils fans already know.

Kager Knueppel, the younger brother of Charlotte Hornets guard and former Duke one-and-done Kon Knueppel, announced Monday he’s committing to the program for the 2027 cycle. The 18-year-old four-star forward made it official on X with a simple message: “The brotherhood just got bigger, again.”

It’s not just a feel-good family story. Kager has real juice. The 6-foot-10 rising senior out of Wisconsin Lutheran High School has been turning heads for a while now, and Monday’s commitment cements him as one of the key building blocks in Duke’s future frontcourt.

The Numbers Are Real

Kager led Wisconsin Lutheran to three straight state championships, including an undefeated 30-0 run this past March. He’s currently ranked No. 27 nationally, according to Joe Tipton of one3.com.

But the stat that jumps off the page is his shooting. On the EYBL Circuit playing for Team Herro, Kager averaged 16.5 points and knocked down over 50 percent of his threes. That’s not a small sample size fluke. That’s a legitimate stretch-four skill set that translates at the next level.

Rivals’ Jamie Shaw watched him closely during EYBL and came away impressed with something beyond the shooting. “Nothing he does is outside of his comfort zone, and his shooting stroke is as deft as it comes,” Shaw said. He also noted Kager’s natural feel for the game and ability to absorb physicality, which matters for a teenager who’s still growing into his frame.

Not Just a Legacy Commit

Kager had options. Wisconsin, Michigan, Purdue, DePaul, Toledo and Butler all came calling. He could have stayed in-state with the Badgers or gone Big Ten anywhere. Instead he chose Durham, following the path his brother Kon carved out in one season — a run that ended in the Final Four.

Kon played one year under Jon Scheyer before being selected 21st overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He’s now averaging solid rotation minutes for Charlotte. Kager won’t arrive until 2027, but the blueprint is there: come to Duke, develop, show out, move on to the league.

Kager is the second oldest of five Knueppel brothers. He’s not the last one either. But for now, he’s the one carrying Duke’s next wave of hope along with a familiar surname.