Cooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie of the Year

In a nail-biting finish, Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick, has been awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2025-26 season. It was a close race, with Flagg edging out Charlotte Hornets’ Con Knuppel, who had been selected just three spots behind him in last year’s draft.

Flagg secured the title with 412 total vote points, which included 56 first-place votes, compared to Knuppel’s 386 points and 44 first-place votes. Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe came in third place, garnering 96 points, while other rookies like Dylan Harper from the Spurs and Cedric Coward from the Grizzlies received some third-place votes.

At just 19 years old, Flagg is the second-youngest recipient of this award, following LeBron James. For a good portion of the season, it appeared that Knuppel might take home the honor. However, the Hornets’ performance in the play-in tournament seemed to influence voter opinions, turning the tide towards Flagg.

Knuppel had a tough outing during this key moment; he managed only six points on a poor shooting night in a narrow overtime victory against the Miami Heat. His struggles continued into a loss against the Orlando Magic, where he scored 11 points but had a significant minus-26 rating.

Flagg has been supporting Knuppel and following his progress closely, feeling a connection as fellow rookies. “I check the box score regularly as the season unfolds,” he said, emphasizing their friendship. Despite the competitive nature, he expressed camaraderie with Knuppel.

This season, Flagg put up impressive numbers—averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. These figures place him in elite company, as he became one of the few rookies in history to reach such a stat line. He led all rookies in scoring, showcasing his standout abilities even in a not-so-great season for the Mavericks, who finished with 26 wins and 56 losses.

Knuppel, on the other hand, made his mark by averaging 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, along with an impressive 273 three-pointers—setting a new record for rookies—but fell short in the overall scoring race.

Despite the challenges faced, both players have shown remarkable potential, hinting at bright futures ahead. Flagg’s performance this season, including becoming the youngest to hit several scoring milestones, suggests that age doesn’t limit skill or impact in the league.