Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, edging out Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel in a close vote, according to league sources.
Flagg received 56 first-place votes and 412 total points, while Knueppel earned 44 first-place votes and 386 points. VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers finished third with 96 points. Flagg, 19, is the second-youngest player to win the award, behind LeBron James.
Most of the season, it appeared Knueppel was favored to win. However, some voters publicly stated that Knueppel’s struggles during the Play-In Tournament influenced their decision. Knueppel scored just six points on 2-of-12 shooting in a playoff win over the Miami Heat and had an 11-point game against the Orlando Magic, where he posted a minus-26 rating.
Flagg praised Knueppel’s effort and acknowledged watching his fellow rookie closely. “I see the games every night. I can check the box scores,” Flagg told ESPN. “I was also watching Kon because that’s one of my brothers. We have a good connection, and we’re going to be there for each other for the rest of our lives. I was watching him as a fan as well, but there was obviously that competition.”
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for the Mavericks. His numbers put him in elite company, joining players like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan as rookies averaging at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists since the NBA-ABA merger. He also led all rookies in scoring this season.
Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets. He also set the rookie record for three-pointers made with 273, leading the NBA in that category. Despite the Hornets finishing 44-38 and making the Play-In Tournament, they were eliminated by the Magic. Meanwhile, the Mavericks finished 26-56, with Flagg leading the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. Flagg also became the youngest player to have games with 35, 40, 45 and 50 points, despite the team’s struggles.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
