The 2025 Charlotte Hornets draft class may go down as the greatest in franchise history. When the dust settles, Charlotte could very well walk away having selected both the Rookie of the Year and the league leader in three‑pointers, all while adding multiple rotation‑ready contributors.
Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James have each delivered an incredible impact for a Hornets squad now sitting at 42–36, transforming what was once a rebuilding team into a bona fide playoff threat. Charlotte hasn’t had this level of excitement in years, with over 20 sellouts of Spectrum Center this season.
If this trajectory continues, the 2025 class won’t just be remembered as Charlotte’s best ever; it may become one of the most impactful rookie groups the league has seen in a decade. Let’s take a closer look at each rookie and the unique impact they’ve made on Charlotte’s evolving roster.
Kon Knueppel, No. 4 overall pick
Knueppel’s season has been nothing short of spectacular. Here are a few of the accomplishments he’s already notched:
- Fastest player to 100 three-pointers
- Broke the NBA record for rookie three-pointers made
- Broke Kemba Walker’s franchise record for three-pointers made in a single season
- Top 5 in true shooting percentage amongst rookies in league history
- Current leader in the league in three-pointers made
This is all without mentioning that he’s the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Detractors can’t even find a valid reason to hate on this guy. His shooting and off-ball impact is indisputable. Knueppel’s impact speaks for itself, and the best part is he still has room to grow to become even better.
Liam McNeeley, No. 29 overall pick
Liam McNeeley was acquired via the Mark Williams trade with the Phoenix Suns, which in hindsight is still a win despite McNeeley being the only rookie who hasn’t provided consistent value. McNeeley has appeared in 30 games this season on 12 minutes per game, averaging 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 40/40/82 shooting splits.
McNeeley was projected to be a two-way wing, providing depth for the roster early on. He’s spent most of his development time in the G League this year, and that will be beneficial for him in the long run. McNeeley has had some solid games off the bench this year. While he hasn’t been as impactful as even the second-round rookies, his rookie season doesn’t solely define his success in the NBA.
Sion James, No. 33 overall pick
I’d argue that James has been the second-most valuable rookie on the Hornets this season. He’s embraced his role as a 3‑and‑D wing with real maturity, knocking down threes at a respectable 36.5 percent clip and consistently taking on the toughest defensive assignments. On many nights, he’s been their best on‑ball defender.
When you add in the fact that he’s appeared in every single game this year with four left to play, his value becomes even clearer. Availability matters, especially for a young team trying to build continuity, and James has delivered steady, reliable minutes off the bench from day one. That combination of durability, defensive impact, and efficient shooting has helped Charlotte immensely.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, No. 34 overall pick
Kalkbrenner was a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the year, so Jeff Peterson had a good idea of what he was getting when he drafted him in the second-round. A solid shot-blocker who could take high-efficient shots around the rim. Kalkbrenner is just that and that’s okay.
He’s two blocks away from reaching 100 total blocks on the season. While some matchups against stretch fives tend to give Kalkbrenner trouble, he’s been a great rotational player for the Hornets, as most second-round rookies don’t pan out.
This draft class has already churned in a 75 percent hit rate, with 100 possible if McNeeley's progression stays upward over the next few seasons. Almost every hole on the roster was seemingly plugged with a rookie this year. They didn’t shy away from the call of duty and immediately played a vital role for this team. When all is said and done, this draft class has a good case for being the best overall in franchise history.