LaMelo Ball Pranks Teammate Kon Knueppel With Soap-Water Bucket

The Charlotte Hornets star pulls a lighthearted locker room prank on his rookie teammate amid a tight Rookie of the Year race.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:24am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the energetic and playful motion of a locker room prank, with the players' forms dissolving into splashes of paint.A lighthearted locker room prank showcases the positive team chemistry fueling the Charlotte Hornets' future.Charlotte Today

In a recent video, Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball was seen chasing down teammate Kon Knueppel and attempting to drench him with a bucket of soapy water in a lighthearted locker room prank. The incident reflects the positive team chemistry and camaraderie within the Hornets organization, even as Knueppel and Cooper Flagg battle for Rookie of the Year honors.

Why it matters

The Hornets have struggled on the court this season, but the team's positive locker room culture and growing chemistry, exemplified by this prank, suggest a bright future for the franchise. LaMelo Ball's maturation as a leader and the budding friendship between Knueppel and Flagg also bode well for the team's long-term prospects.

The details

In the video, Ball is seen charging at Knueppel with a mop bucket filled with soapy water, attempting to drench his rookie teammate. Though Knueppel managed to evade the prank, the incident showcases the lighthearted atmosphere within the Hornets' locker room despite the team's on-court struggles this season.

  • The prank occurred recently, as captured in a video uploaded to social media.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Charlotte Hornets' star point guard and 2022 NBA All-Star, known for his flashy play and growing leadership within the team.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie forward for the Charlotte Hornets who is engaged in a tight Rookie of the Year race with teammate Cooper Flagg.

Cooper Flagg

A rookie forward for the Charlotte Hornets who is engaged in a tight Rookie of the Year race with teammate Kon Knueppel.

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What they’re saying

“LaMelo Ball is a real winner this season. He's actually had seasons with better 'stats.' This is a classic eye test; you have to watch it. I love the way he's playing… there's real thoughtfulness in how he's playing the point guard position now and how he's not as risky and reckless as he was. He doesn't seem like he's in an AND1 tournament anymore.”

— Bill Simmons, Sports Commentator

What’s next

As the Rookie of the Year race between Knueppel and Flagg continues, the Hornets will look to build on the positive team chemistry and camaraderie displayed in the locker room prank to improve their on-court performance and make a push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Charlotte Hornets' lighthearted locker room culture, exemplified by LaMelo Ball's prank on Kon Knueppel, suggests a bright future for the franchise despite their struggles this season. The growing friendship between the team's young stars and Ball's continued maturation as a leader bode well for the Hornets' long-term success.