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Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, and in the end, it was an excitingly close vote.
Flagg narrowly beat out Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, his fellow Duke Blue Devils star who was selected three times later than Flagg in last year’s draft, earning 56 first-place votes compared to Knueppel’s 44. So, Flagg finished with 412 total voting points to Knueppel’s 386.
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe finished in third place with 96 points (93 third-place votes), while Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs and Cedric Coward of the Memphis Grizzlies also earned third-place votes.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg controls the ball in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Dallas, Texas, on March 30, 2026. (Gareth Patterson/AP Photo)
Flagg became the second-youngest player to win the award, as the 19-year-old was only behind LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
For most of the season, it looked like Knueppel was going to win the award, but several voters came out publicly and said that Knueppel’s struggles in the Play-In tournament influenced them to change their minds about Flagg.
MAVERICKS’ COOPER FLAGG ADMITS ROOKIE SEASON HAS BEEN ‘MENTALLY EXHAUSTING’ AMID TEAM’S STRUGGLES
Knueppel scored just six points on 2-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes during the Hornets’ electric 127-126 overtime victory over the Miami Heat to start the tournament. Then, in a 121-90 loss to the Orlando Magic, he went 3-for-11 for 11 points (4-for-5 from the free throw line as well), and posted a -26 while on the court.
Flagg noted being interested in what Knueppel was doing throughout the year, showing love 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. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
“I watch the games every night. I can check the scores,” he said of closely watching Knueppel’s stat lines, according to ESPN. “I think I was also looking at Kon just because he’s one of my brothers.
“We had such a good connection and we will be there for each other for the rest of our lives. I was also watching it 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 put him among some NBA greats, as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic were the only rookies. 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 noted. 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 surpassed him in those categories, he reestablished the rookie’s record for 3-pointers made with 273. That number also led the NBA this season. Knueppel was also a key piece in the Hornets entering the Play-In Tournament, finishing 44-38 before being eliminated by the Magic.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dribbles 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 did not do very well this season, finishing 26-56, although he led the team in scoring, rebounds and assists this season. Despite the losses, Flagg continued to prove that age did not matter, becoming the youngest player to play games with 35, 40, 45 and 50 points.
