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Dallas Mavericks first-round pick Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, and it was a very close vote in the end.
Flagg narrowly edged out Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Kon Knueppel, a fellow Duke Blue Devils star who was picked three times behind Flagg in last year’s draft, receiving 56 first-place votes to Knueppel’s 44.
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe finished third with 96 points (third-place votes), while Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies Cedric Coward also received third-place votes.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg controls the ball during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Dallas, Texas, March 30, 2026. (Gareth Patterson/AP Photo)
Flagg marked the second youngest player ever to win the award, as the 19-year-old was behind only LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
For most of the season, it seemed like Knueppel would win the award, but many voters came out and said Knueppel’s Play-In Tournament struggles caused them to change their minds about Flag.
MAVERICKS’ COOPER FLAGG ADMITS ROOKIE SEASON HAS BEEN ‘INTELLIGENT’ AMID TEAM STRUGGLES
Knueppel had just six points on 2-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes during the Hornets’ 127-126 overtime win over the Miami Heat in the tournament opener. Then in a 121-90 loss to the Orlando Magic, he shot 3 of 11 for 11 points (4 of 5 from the free throw line as well), and posted a minus-26 on the court.
Flagg noted the interest Knueppel has shown throughout the year, showing affection to his fellow rookie.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg watches from the bench during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on April 3, 2026. (Photos by Jerome Miron/Imagn)
“I see the games every night. I can check the box scores,” he said of watching Knueppel’s stat lines up close, per ESPN. “I think I was also watching Kon because he is one of my brothers.
“We had a great connection, and we’re going to be there together for the rest of our lives. I was watching him as a fan, but obviously there was that competition at the same time.”
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this year for the Mavericks. Those numbers had him among other NBA greats, as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic were the only rookies before Flagg to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists since the NBA-ABA merger, ESPN reported. Flagg also led all rookies in scoring this season.
As for Knueppel, he dropped 18.5 points per game with 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, but while Flagg had him beaten in those categories, he reset the rookie 3-pointer record with 273. That number also led the NBA this season. Knueppel was also a key piece in the Hornets’ run to the Play-In Championship to begin with, finishing 44-38 before being eliminated by the Magic.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg drives down the floor during the second half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
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Flagg and the Mavs didn’t go too well this season, finishing 26-56, although he led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists this season. Despite the loss, Flagg continued to show that age doesn’t matter, becoming the youngest player ever to have 35, 40, 45 and 50 point games.
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