The NBA rookie race heats up as former Duke teammates, Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, go head-to-head, each staking their claim as the season’s top newcomer.

For better or worse, LaMelo Ball has been the face of the Charlotte Hornets since he was drafted. His early All-Star bid and Rookie of the Year award, over Anth

Nembhard is the first undrafted rookie in NBA history to score 25 points and have 10 or more assists with zero turnovers. He’s the first undrafted rookie with back-to-back 15+ point, 10-assist games. And his presence has helped to steady the ship for the Mavericks.

Milwaukee native Kon Knueppel has taken the NBA by storm, something he discussed on a late-night appearance with Jimmy Fallon.

Kon Knueppel details his whirlwind month, which saw him win Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month and appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Knueppel admits to being nervous about the late-night appearance but calls being on the show a "cool experience.

Kon Knueppel sat down on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to discuss winning the Rookie of the Month award alongside Cooper Flagg.

Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has hit the ground running in the NBA, similar to his former college teammate Cooper Flagg.