A new way of looking at Kon’s athleticism. I took some top prospects and simply multiplied their weight times their “verticality” to determine “interior physical presence.”
All numbers are from the 2025 NBA combine.
Weight(lbs.) x inches of standing reach
Flagg 221 x 106.5 = 23,536.5
Knueppel 219 x 101.5 = 22,228.5
Harper 213.2 x 102 = 21,746.4
Bailey 202.8 x 107 = 21,699.6
Edgecomb 193.2 x 101.5 = 19,609.8
T.Johnson 190.4 x 101 = 19,230.4
Weight(lbs.) x the height touched(inches) on their standing vertical jump
Flagg 221 x 135.5 = 29,945.5
Knueppel 219 x 133 = 29,127
Harper 213.2 x 132.5 = 28,249
Bailey 202.8 x 134.5 = 27,276.6
Edgecomb 193.2 x 131.5 = 25,405.8
T.Johnson 190.4 x 133 = 25,323.2
It should be noted that Edgecomb and Bailey rank lower here but block a lot of shots in actual games. No doubt wingspan and burst can play a role. Or sheer effort. But I guess my point is that Kon offers something really unique athletically. He can not easily be moved in the paint. He offers interior presence, just not in the way we always think of it.
Hell of a start for Kon. I’d say he’s answered a lot of our questions. Averaging about 17ppg on 39% from three. Interesting tidbit: Kon has moved to the third favorite to win rookie of the year. Betting odds shifted to +350/+380.
If the mavericks bottom out and Flagg continues to be forced into ill suited point guard role, and the hornets get healthy and start winning games…Kon could actually be in the mix. I’ll give it a 3% chance.
Kon is so much farther ahead than I thought he’d be. He does not look like a rookie. The guy is going to be good… and he’s tough. We need more tough guys.
This is so good, although it does fall prey to some of the standard cliche’ lingo. I didn’t realize Kon’s 3 point shooting off the dribble was suspect at Duke. It’s wild how he’s already so much better at it now, in a far superior league.
