Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday, April 27, 2026, in a tightly contested race that saw him...
1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, exceeded expectations in his debut season, emerging as the Mavericks’ best player.
Flagg’s most memorable stretch came late in the season when he scored 96 points over two games, including a 51-point outburst against the Orlando Magic—the first time a...
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday, April 27, 2026, in a tightly contested race that saw him edge out former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. The award marks a historic moment for the league, as Flagg becomes the second-youngest player in NBA history to win the honor, trailing only LeBron James.
Flagg’s Standout Rookie Campaign
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, exceeded expectations in his debut season, emerging as the Mavericks’ best player. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with averages of 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 29.5% from three-point range. His performance made him the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Rookie of the Year Standout Campaign Flagg Michael
Flagg’s most memorable stretch came late in the season when he scored 96 points over two games, including a 51-point outburst against the Orlando Magic—the first time a teenager had ever scored 50 points in an NBA game. He had previously set a teenage scoring record with 49 points in a game against Knueppel and the Hornets earlier in the season.
A Historic Race with Knueppel
The Rookie of the Year voting was one of the closest in league history under the current format, which began in the 2002-03 season. Flagg secured 56 of 100 first-place votes, while Knueppel tallied the remaining 44. The margin of victory—just 26 total points—was the second-closest finish ever, behind only Scottie Barnes’ win over Evan Mobley in 2021-22.
From Instagram — related to Rookie of the Year, Flagg and Knueppel
Knueppel, the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft, had a breakout season of his own, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range. His 273 made threes led the NBA, and his efficiency helped the Hornets improve from a 19-63 record in 2024-25 to 44-38 in 2025-26, securing a play-in tournament berth.
Flagg and Knueppel became the first former college teammates to finish first and second in rookie scoring since UConn’s Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon in 2004-05. Their rivalry captivated fans throughout the season, with both players trading places as betting favorites before Flagg’s late surge sealed the award.
Edgecombe’s Strong Showing
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe rounded out the finalists, finishing third in the voting. While he didn’t contend for the top spot, his inclusion highlighted the depth of this year’s rookie class.
A Special Connection with Knueppel
“I see the games every night. I can check the box scores. I think also I was watching Kon just because that’s one of my brothers.”
Cooper Flagg wins NBA Rookie of the Year 🚨 I Former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel comes in second
Cooper Flagg, on his rivalry with Kon Knueppel
Flagg’s relationship with Knueppel added a personal dimension to the race. The two played together at Duke before being drafted in the same year, and their bond remained strong despite the competitive nature of their rookie seasons. Flagg’s acknowledgment of Knueppel’s impact underscored the mutual respect between the two standout rookies.
Mavericks’ Struggles and Flagg’s Leadership
Despite Flagg’s individual success, the Mavericks faced challenges as a team, finishing the season with a losing record. However, his leadership and production provided a bright spot for the franchise, offering hope for the future. Flagg’s ability to dominate games—particularly his record-setting performances—demonstrated his potential to become a franchise cornerstone.
What’s Next for Flagg and the Mavericks
With the Rookie of the Year award secured, Flagg will look to build on his success in his second season. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will aim to surround him with a stronger supporting cast to return to playoff contention. For Knueppel and the Hornets, the focus will be on sustaining their improvement and making a deeper postseason push.
The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year race will be remembered as one of the most competitive in recent history, with Flagg and Knueppel setting the stage for what could be long and successful careers.
