What is Knueppel family tree? Kon and his brothers, cousin Zavier Zens

Rebecca French

2 months ago

On Saturday, March 21, as the Wisconsin Lutheran boys basketball team looks to win its third straight state championship, observers will notice a familiar last name throughout the roster.

Knupel.

Big brother Kon Knueppel, who lit up the NBA as one of the top prospects two years ago, led the Vikings to a perfect season and a state championship in 2024.

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His brothers were the next wave of talent propelling Wisconsin Lutheranism to the top of the state. There are three on the current roster, with a fourth set to take over next year.

That’s not all. Knuppel’s cousin, Zavier Zens, happens to be Wisconsin’s best player in the 2025-26 season and is a Division I college recruit.

Here is information about the Knupel family:

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Who are the Knuppel brothers?

The Knueppel family has five boys.

Kon Knueppel – Played at Wisconsin Lutheran from 2020-2024, spent one season at Duke and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Kager Knueppel – Wisconsin Lutheran junior, 6-foot-10 wing
Kinston Knueppel – Sophomore, Wisconsin Lutheran – 6’6 wing
Kash Knueppel – Freshman, Wisconsin Lutheran – 6’3” guard
Kidman Nupel – 8th grader – plays for Davis Brothers Elite

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2026 WIAA D1 Boys Basketball State Semifinals Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Appleton North

Wisconsin Lutheran’s Kinston Knueppel (34) is fouled by Appleton North’s Matthew Rosplochowski (2) during a WIAA Class 1 state semifinal basketball game at the Kohl Center on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Who is Zavier Zans?

Zavier Zens is the cousin of the Knupel brothers.

During his senior season, he won one major award after another. The 6-foot-7 forward was named Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association and was named Wisconsin Player of the Year by Gatorade.

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Kon Knueppel also won these awards in 2024.

Zenz, who will head to Northern Iowa next season, is averaging 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season.

He scored 16 points in Wisconsin Lutheran’s Division II final win over Pewaukee in 2024 and scored a team-high 19 points in last year’s Division I final win over Marshfield.

Former UWGB star Chari Nordgaard-Knueppel spent the winter traveling to watch her five sons play basketball. Chari poses with her children and husband. From left to right, Chari, Kidman, Kinston, Kon II, Kager, Kash and husband Kon.

Who are Knuppel’s parents? Knuppel mother and father

It’s no surprise that the Knuppel brothers picked up basketball and thrived in the sport.

Basketball is in Knupel’s blood.

Their parents were college basketball stars in the 1990s.

Kon Knueppel Sr. is Wisconsin Lutheran College’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time all-league selection. Chari Norgaard Knueppel is a legend at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

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She is one of three players in program history to have her jersey retired and remains the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Must read: UWGB great Chari Nordgaard-Knueppel has attended every Duke game this season to watch son Kon play

Con Knuppel in the NBA

Con Knuppel is having an incredible rookie season and has the Hornets in position to make the playoffs.

The records he has set include the fastest player in league history to make 200 three-pointers and the most three-pointers made by a rookie in a single season.

In 69 games, Knuupel averaged 19.3 points in 31.7 minutes, shooting 48.9% from the field, 87.7% from the free throw line, and 43.7% from three-point range, plus 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

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He talked about his brother and family during last summer’s NBA draft:

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Knueppel family tree explained: Kon and brother and cousin Zavier Zens

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