Cooper Flagg has earned the 2025–26 NBA Rookie of the Year award, finishing ahead of his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.
Playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg put together an impressive debut season, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 70 games while logging 33.5 minutes per contest.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft quickly lived up to expectations.
“This is a truly great honor,” said Flagg. “I’m grateful to receive this award and thankful to everyone in the Dallas Mavericks organization who believed in me from day one.
“None of this happens without my teammates, coaches and the people around me pushing me every day. I came here to compete and help this team win. This is just one step forward in what we’re building.”
Knueppel, who suited up for the Charlotte Hornets, also had a strong rookie campaign, appearing in 81 games and averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
He shot 42.5 percent from beyond the arc on 642 attempts, knocking down a rookie record 273 three-pointers.
Cooper Flagg Beats Out Kon Knueppel To Win 2025-26 NBA Rookie Of The Year https://t.co/HRwztkzQ7u
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 27, 2026
