Duke’s coaching staff was highly active at the Nike EYBL Session 2 event in Indianapolis this weekend, scouting the next wave of talent.
One standout performance came from sophomore Kager Knueppel, the younger brother of Duke freshman Kon Knueppel.
Kager’s impressive play drew a courtside appearance from Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, signaling serious interest from the Blue Devils. Though scouts from Arkansas and other programs were also present, Scheyer’s presence hinted that Duke may already be eyeing Kager for its 2027 recruiting class, aiming to continue the Knueppel legacy in Durham.
Kon Knueppel made a strong impact in his freshman year, starting all 39 games and averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9% overall, 40.6% from deep, and 91.4% at the line.
Kager, a 6-foot-8 guard with length and skill, clearly comes from strong basketball roots. His father, Kon, held the all-time scoring record at Wisconsin Lutheran College until 2019, while his mother, Chari, remains the all-time leading scorer at UW-Green Bay.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Kager played a key role alongside Kon at Wisconsin Lutheran, helping the team go 30-0 en route to the WIAA Division 2 state title in 2024.
During the 2024-25 season, Kager posted averages of 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over 30 games, while shooting 54.5% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range.
Toledo was the first to offer him a Division I scholarship, but Scheyer’s courtside attention suggests Duke is positioning itself early in Kager’s recruitment.
The Blue Devils wrapped up their 2024-25 season with a 35-4 record and reached the Final Four, ultimately falling 70-67 to Houston.