Former Duke guard Kon Knueppel, the fourth pick in the NBA draft, signed his rookie contract with the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, the team announced.
Knueppel was a second-team All-ACC selection last season, averaging 14.4 points, four rebounds, 2.7 assists and one steal in 39 games on 40.6% shooting from 3-point range. He scored in double figures in all but seven games, including a season-high 28 points and eight assists on March 13.
He will make $10,015,680 next season, according to Spotrac.
The 6-foot-6 guard ranked seventh in the country in free-throw percentage (91.4), eighth in offensive rating (133.7) and ninth in win shares (6.9) last season. He was also tied for the ninth-most appearances after helping the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Knueppel began the season projected to be selected toward the middle of the first round, but climbed draft boards to become a top-five pick. He is viewed as one of the top shooters in the draft and was also highly touted because of his ability to facilitate on offense.
The 19-year-old is a part of a crowded draft class for the Hornets, joining UConn guard Liam McNeeley (29th pick), James (33rd pick) and Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th pick). They are each highly touted and project to be players the team can build around.
Knueppel and the group will suit up with the Hornets in the NBA Summer League for at least five games, beginning on July 11 against the Chicago Bulls (7 p.m. EDT, ESPN).
