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Dallas Mavericks first general select Cooper Flagg used to be named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Yr, and it used to be a thrillingly shut vote finally.
Flagg narrowly beat out Charlotte Hornets’ sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, his fellow Duke Blue Devils big name who went 3 selections later than Flagg in final 12 months’s draft, incomes 56 first-place votes in comparison to Knueppel’s 44. So, Flagg completed with 412 general vote issues to Knueppel’s 386.
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe completed in 1/3 position with 96 issues (93 third-place votes), whilst San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies Cedric Coward additionally were given third-place votes.
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Dallas Mavericks ahead Cooper Flagg controls the ball in the second one part towards the Minnesota Timberwolves in Dallas, Texas, on March 30, 2026. (Gareth Patterson/AP Picture)
Flagg marked the second-youngest participant to ever win the award, because the 19-year-old used to be most effective at the back of Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James.
For many of the season, it gave the impression Knueppel used to be going to win the award, however more than one citizens got here out publicly and stated Knueppel’s Play-In Event struggles factored into them converting their minds for Flagg.
MAVERICKS’ COOPER FLAGG ADMITS ROOKIE SEASON HAS BEEN ‘MENTALLY TAXING’ AMID THE TEAM’S STRUGGLES
Knueppel had simply six issues on 2-of-12 capturing in 34 mins right through the Hornets’ electrical 127-126 extra time win over the Miami Warmth at the beginning of the event. Then, within the 121-90 loss to the Orlando Magic, he shot 3 of eleven for 11 issues (4 of five from the free-throw line as neatly), and he posted a minus-26 whilst at the court docket.
Flagg famous being taken with what Knueppel used to be doing right through the 12 months, appearing like to his fellow rookie.
Dallas Mavericks ahead Cooper Flagg watches from the bench right through the second one quarter towards the Orlando Magic on the American Airways Heart in Dallas, Texas, on April 3, 2026. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Pictures)
“I see the video games each and every evening. I will test the field rankings,” he stated about looking at Knueppel’s stat traces carefully, according to ESPN. “I feel additionally I used to be looking at Kon simply because that’s certainly one of my brothers.
“We had this sort of just right connection, and we’re gonna be there for each and every different for the remainder of our lives. I used to be looking at him as a fan, as neatly, however there used to be clearly that festival on the similar time.”
Flagg averaged 21 issues, 6.7 rebounds and four.5 assists according to recreation this 12 months for the Mavericks. The ones numbers had him amongst some NBA greats, as Larry Chicken, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic have been the one rookiesMichael Jordan and Luka Doncic have been the one newcomers prior to Flagg to reasonable no less than 20 issues, six rebounds and 4 assists because the NBA-ABA merger, ESPN identified. Flagg additionally led all newcomers in scoring this season.
As for Knueppel, he dropped 18.5 issues according to recreation with 5.3 rebounds and three.5 assists, however whilst Flagg had him beat in the ones classes, he reset the rookie 3-pointers made report with 273. That quantity additionally led the NBA this season. Knueppel used to be additionally a key piece within the Hornets entering the Play-In Event initially, completing 44-38 prior to being eradicated via the Magic.
Dallas Mavericks ahead Cooper Flagg dribbles right through the second one part of an NBA recreation towards the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
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Flagg and the Mavs didn’t fare too neatly this season, completing 26-56, even though he led the workforce in scoring, rebounding and assists this season. In spite of the losses, Flagg persevered to turn that age didn’t subject, turning into the youngest participant to ever have video games with 35, 40, 45 and 50 issues.
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