Cooper Flagg Tops Kon Knueppel In Historically Close Rookie of the Year Vote
Summary
Cooper Flagg, a 19-year-old forward for the Dallas Mavericks, won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award in a very close vote against Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. Flagg led his team in several statistical categories and delivered strong performances late in the season, despite the Mavericks having a poor overall record following the trade of Luka Doncic.Key Facts
- The Dallas Mavericks finished the 2024-25 season with a 39-43 record and traded star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
- The Mavericks selected Duke forward Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
- Flagg won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first Maverick to do so since Doncic in 2019.
- Flagg led the Mavericks in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, joining only Michael Jordan in this achievement since 1973-74.
- Kon Knueppel, drafted fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets, led the league in made three-pointers but finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
- The vote margin between Flagg and Knueppel was the second closest since 2002-03.
- Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 70 games.
- Flagg suffered a sprained left ankle in the final regular-season game.
- Flagg described the season as mentally challenging due to team struggles and injuries.
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