The secret behind Kohn Knuepel’s draft picks was AI, according to the executive
The Charlotte Hornets are undoubtedly reaping the benefits of drafting Kon Kneuppel with the No. 4 pickwith the 20-year-old sneaking into the Rookie of the Year race along with Cooper Flagg. However, it appears to be the result of a significant change in direction behind the scenes, with the 2024 appointment of Patrick Harrell as VP of Basketball Insights & Analysis, which has notably resulted in the integration of artificial intelligence into the team’s scouting mechanisms.
Per SportCLT Dylan Jackson, Hornets were interested in acquired Reid Sheppard in the 2024 draft, but ended up trading Knuepel a year later. The decision was at least partially influenced by an “artificial intelligence strategy blueprint” provided to them by a company called Invisible Technologies.
“The commercial impact was almost immediate,” said Patrick Harrel, VP of Basketball Insights & Analysis at the Charlotte Hornets. “Within weeks, Invisible provided us with an AI strategy blueprint that gave us Knuppel could4 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft,” Jackson wrote.
Early validation came during Summer League, where Knuepel scored a championship game 21 points and won Finals MVP honors while leading Charlotte to its first Summer League title with a victory over the Sacramento Kings. Of course, Knuppel’s rookie campaign reinforced the promise.
The 20-year-old guard is averaging 19.2 points5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 48.7% from the field, 43.5% from three-point range and 89.1% from the free throw line. He currently leads the NBA with 198 three-pointers, after already appearing as Flegg’s biggest rival for the Rookie of the Year award, and many argue that the Hornets should be seen as the favorites.
Regardless, fans will be hoping for a potential postseason run instead, and the Hornets are currently 10th in the East at 27-31. That’s already a big improvement over the 19-63 record they finished with last season, even if playoff qualification remains elusive.
2026-02-24 14:14:00
