Klay continues to struggle, while the rookie most resembling Klay is playing impressively hot

Since the season began, Klay Thompson’s performance has been underwhelming, with averages of 8.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in six games, his shooting accuracy at 33.3%, and three-point accuracy at 29.4%, marking the lowest stats of his career.

While fans have grown accustomed to Klay’s slow starts, this time his downturn feels exceptionally deep. After yesterday’s loss, where he made 3 out of 7 three-pointers, Klay expressed his frustration by slapping a water bottle away in the players’ tunnel.

Klay’s shooting touch is cold, but meanwhile, I believe the rookie most similar to Klay from the 2025 draft class is playing very well — that’s Duke sharpshooter Con Kippert, the Hornets’ fourth overall pick.

Choosing a white shooter so high in the draft was questioned by many, as Kippert was generally considered a top-ten pick but rarely projected in the top five. The reputation of white shooters has become less favorable in the league recently due to performances by players like Joe Harris, Bertans, and Kesspert.

However, Kippert’s performance since being selected by the Hornets has fully justified his draft position. Starting with the Summer League, he averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 41% overall and 34.3% from three, leading the Hornets to a championship victory.

As far as I recall, this should be the Hornets’ first legitimate championship in many years. Since the franchise’s inception, they had never won an NBA title, division title, conference title, or even a Summer League championship. Kippert earned the Finals MVP and was named to the Summer League’s second-best team with his outstanding performance.

In the regular season, Kippert has taken his game up a notch in the first four games, making 16 three-pointers — an NBA record for a player’s first four games — with an impressive 53.3% three-point shooting rate, showing both volume and efficiency.

Therefore, I think it’s an understatement that Kippert ranked only sixth on the first rookie list, averaging 16 points per game with shooting percentages above 50% in two categories. In the following losses to the Magic and Timberwolves, Kippert hit just 2 of 12 three-pointers, hitting the rookie wall.

But Kippert adjusted quickly. After shooting 1 of 8 from three yesterday, he bounced back in today’s blowout win over the Jazz by going 9 of 17 overall and 4 of 9 from beyond the arc, setting a career-high 24 points. After seven games, he averages 3.1 made threes per game with a 43.1% three-point percentage, surpassing even his college shooting stats.

During his freshman year at Duke, Kippert shot 40.6% from three on 5.3 attempts per game, making 2.2 threes on average. His catch-and-shoot three-point accuracy was an outstanding 48.9%, with corner threes at 46.2%, marking him as a highly consistent and excellent shooter, which is why he was always considered a top-ten draft prospect.

If you think Kippert is just a three-point shooter, you’re mistaken. His field goal percentage near the basket is also high at 57.5%. Since entering the NBA, he has maintained around 50% shooting at the rim, effectively translating and even improving his NCAA skills at the professional level.

He’s not purely a catch-and-shoot player either; in college, he could run pick-and-rolls well, had a very low turnover rate, and as a shooter with good spacing awareness, he could also deliver some open passes.

Of course, Kippert is not the type to become a star, as his physical attributes limit his ceiling. Standing 1.96 meters tall with a 1.98-meter wingspan, his defensive athleticism is average, but his effort is undeniable. The Hornets trust him a lot, starting him from the beginning, and he has provided solid scoring support.

Both of the Hornets’ rookies have started from the outset this year. While it’s expected for the fourth pick Kippert to start, the 34th pick center, Caleb Brenner, earned his starting role through outstanding fundamentals.

Brenner was originally a Lakers target at center, but the Hornets swooped in early. He was even compared to Yang Hansheng for a while. Brenner played five college seasons and was already 23 at the draft, just five months older than the three-point shooter.

He comes across as a very straightforward blue-collar center, doing the dirty work of scoring near the basket, grabbing rebounds, and protecting the rim. In seven career games, he has taken 37 shots, only one of which was from the corner free-throw line. His overall shooting accuracy is an impressive 30 made of 37 attempts, or 81%.

Even though he shot 1 of 3 today, he still ranks first in the league in shooting percentage, 10 points higher than second-place Kessler (70.3%). Simple but highly efficient — that’s why Brenner quickly secured his starting spot.

In fact, Brenner has the most remarkable single-game college performance among this draft class. In 2024, he scored 49 points on 20 of 22 shooting in a game. Though he has limited upside, his extensive experience on both ends allows him to contribute immediately, which is excellent value for a second-round pick.

The Hornets made excellent choices with these two rookies this year. Along with the promising 2023 second overall pick Brandon Miller, if their three-point shooter stays healthy, the Hornets might bring some surprises to their fans this season.