Knueppel became the 10th Hornets player to win, averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and three assists on 41.3% three-point shooting in October and November. He leads the rookie class in scoring and is the only first-year player with multiple 30-point games.
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While Knueppel won the award in the East, his former Duke teammate, Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, was honored in the West. It was the first time both winners were from the same university since the league began awarding the honor in both conferences in 2001-02.
“He texted me today: ‘Who would have thought? Two roommates,'” Knueppel told Fallon, referring to the message he received from Flagg about winning the award.
With the Hornets on a two-game road trip in New York, Knueppel stopped by Studio 6B at Rockefeller Center to visit Fallon and the show. He was also joined by fellow rookies Liam McNeeley and Sion James, who were seen speaking to him before his appearance.
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In addition to talking about Flagg, Knueppel talked about playing in his hometown of Milwaukee and taking the team to dinner at his parents’ house. He also gave Fallon a custom-made No. 25 Hornets jersey with his name on the back.
Knueppel has emerged as perhaps the best first-year player early after a tremendous start with the Hornets. While the league acknowledged it Tuesday, Knueppel got the chance to take a victory lap of sorts on the show in front of a nationally televised audience.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Hornets News: Kon Knueppel Gave Jimmy Fallon a Jersey on Tonight Show