Kon Knueppel Family Tree: Meet the Four Basketball-Playing Brothers of Duke’s New Star
When Jasiah Knueppel arrived at Duke, few could have predicted how quickly he would make a name for himself. The freshman guard has not only been a standout on the court, leading Duke to the Final Four, but he’s also been part of a basketball dynasty that has its roots in Brookfield, Wisconsin. While Jasiah is the most well-known of the Knueppel family at the moment, his journey to Duke is just one chapter in the long and storied legacy of the Knueppel family, where basketball talent runs deep.
Jasiah, who is often referred to as “Kon,” isn’t the only basketball-playing Knueppel. In fact, his success is part of a broader family story that includes four brothers, each of whom has made their mark on the basketball court. The Knueppel family tree is rich with athletic achievement, and it’s clear that basketball is more than just a game for them—it’s a way of life.
Derek Knueppel Sr., the patriarch of the family, was a standout player at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and he passed down his love for the game to all of his sons. Together with his wife Tasha, Derek fostered an environment where sports were valued, discipline was encouraged, and each of the brothers was given the tools to develop their talent. “Our family’s focus was always on having fun, staying humble, and working hard,” Derek Sr. said. “I’m proud of each of my boys for how they’ve handled success.”
While Jasiah’s rise to stardom is impressive, his older brothers have had their fair share of success as well. The Knueppel brothers’ journeys into basketball were paved early on by their father’s coaching and their constant exposure to competitive play.
Kon’s Older Brothers:
Derek Jr., the oldest of the Knueppel siblings, played college basketball at Valparaiso University. Though not as widely known as some of his younger brothers, Derek Jr. set a solid foundation for the family’s basketball legacy. His time at Valparaiso honed his skills and allowed him to mentor his younger brothers along the way. Even after his playing days, Derek Jr. remained involved in the game, giving advice and encouragement to his brothers.
Brayden Knueppel played at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he was a standout guard. Known for his sharpshooting ability and court vision, Brayden helped pave the way for his brothers by showing that it was possible to succeed at the college level even if you didn’t play for a major power program. His calm, collected demeanor on the court was something Jasiah admired greatly growing up.
Cole Knueppel, the youngest of the older brothers, played for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As the last son to play college basketball before Jasiah, Cole was one of the key figures in helping shape the expectations for the younger Knueppel siblings. Cole’s versatility as a forward who could stretch the floor with his outside shooting provided a model for Jasiah, who would go on to develop a similar, multifaceted style of play.
With four basketball-playing brothers, the competition at home was fierce, but it was also a major motivator. “We pushed each other,” Jasiah recalls. “Whether it was backyard games or one-on-one matchups in the gym, it was always about being better than the last time. I learned so much from my older brothers—they showed me what it takes to get better every day.”
Though Jasiah is the first Knueppel to play for a blue-blood program like Duke, he follows in the footsteps of his brothers by working hard, maintaining humility, and letting his game speak for itself. In a family with such a strong basketball tradition, the success of one brother is seen as a victory for them all.
As Duke heads to the Final Four, the Knueppel family’s basketball legacy is alive and well, with Jasiah poised to continue making history. And while the spotlight shines brightly on the youngest Knueppel, the entire family remains steadfast in their belief that basketball is more than just a game—it’s a bond that unites them all, from the backyard hoops to the brightest stages of college basketball.
