‘Unreal.’ Ex-Duke Star Knueppel Raves About Boumtje Boumtje

Duke basketball fans now have their first look at star incoming freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje in Duke blue.

Since the FIBA U17 World Cup, Boumtje Boumtje has been gaining serious momentum as a big-time prospect, and what’s most enticing about the 7’1″ big man is that Duke will have him for two years.

Boumtje Boumtje will be 17 years old for the entire 2026-27 college basketball season and must spend at least two years in college basketball before potentially declaring for the 2028 NBA Draft.

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With the elite skill Boumtje Boumtje already boasts, he is gaining hype quickly. He’s already catching the attention of one former Blue Devil star.

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former Blue Devil Kon Knueppel Has High Praise for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje

Kon Knueppel spent one season at Duke in 2024-25, a crucial part of that Final Four team along with Cooper Flagg. The ACC Tournament MVP then went on to be selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Knueppel was one of the most talented freshmen to come through the Duke program in recent years, and even he has high praise for Boumtje Boumtje.

Apr 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On a recent appearance on the Crazie Cast podcast, Knueppel said what he thinks about Boumtje Boumtje’s game ahead of his rookie year in Durham.

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“He looks unreal,” Knueppel said.

“The rebounding numbers, like it looked like 15 rebounds, like every time I looked. So, I mean, I’m excited about him. You know, you get two years to develop at Duke.”

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/unreal-ex-duke-star-knueppel-110007044.html

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Publish date : 2026-07-16 11:00:00

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