Duke guard Kon Knueppel trips Clemson player, hit with Flagrant 1 foul

Duke is in a battle early against Clemson, looking to extend its undefeated start to ACC play. Being a three-point game in the first half, Clemson now has a big opportunity ahead due to a Flagrant 1 foul being called. Kon Knueppel was caught tripping an opposing player and after review, was punished for the act.

Knueppel was tied up with Jaeden Zackery on the ground, going for a loose ball. As the play moved away from them, Zackery attempted to get back up. But as he attempted to run away, Knueppel kept the feet tied together and Zackery fell back down.

You can watch the full play for yourself here.

This isn't Grayson Allen. This isn't Kyle Filipowski.

This is today.

Whats with Duke guys and tripping other guys pic.twitter.com/1GdCGnqyB9

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) February 9, 2025

Officials took a look and felt strongly enough to elevate the play to a Flagrant 1. Clemson will now get to shoot two free throws and get the ball back, looking at a possession worth as many as five points in front of them. A three-point deficit could quickly turn into a lead for the Tigers.

Knueppel will now have to be careful throughout the rest of the game too. Extra eyes will be on him after getting a Flagrant 1 attached to his name.

Dick Vitale compares Duke star Cooper Flagg to other great stars

Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has been showered with praise ever since his high school days, when he was touted as the No. 1 overall prospect in America. College basketball analysts across the country have continued their praise of the uber-talented freshman in his freshman year at Duke, where he’s lived up to lofty expectations.

On Saturday night in the Duke-Clemson game, ESPN’s Dick Vitale once again raved about Flagg, putting him in a special class, and among one of the best players he’s ever seen at the age of 18.

“There’s only three players in my 45 years that I’ve seen in person that match the skills that he has at such a young age. And I’m not saying that he’s gonna be one of these three. But I’m going off who I’ve seen in person. I’ve seen in person, Kobe Bryant, I did one of his games. I’ve seen in person, LeBron James.

“I saw Magic Johnson at a holiday tournament, trying to recruit him. But I had no shot. When you look at those three guys, that’s 18 year olds just like him. They all were able to do everything that he does.”

On3’s Wade Hampton Peery contributed to this report