Cooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie Of The Year

BusinessSportsMoneyCooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie Of The YearByAdam Zagoria,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a basketball and tennis insiderFollow AuthorApr 27, 2026, 08:11pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after scoring a three point basket during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center on December 23, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)Getty ImagesCooper Flagg won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as a college freshman at Duke last season.Last summer he became the second youngest player behind LeBron James to be selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.And now the Dallas Mavericks forward has been named NBA Rookie of the Year.The 6-foot-9 rookie beat out his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets by 26 points. It was the second smallest gap since the current voting format began in 2002-03, behind only a 15-point gap in 2021-22.With the Mavericks having traded away Luka Doncic in 2025 and then Anthony Davis this year, Flagg has quickly become the face of the franchise.Here are some of Flagg’s accomplishments this season per the NBA.Led all rookies in scoring (21.0 ppg) and ranked fourth in rebounding (6.7 rpg), second in assists (4.5 apg) and steals (1.20 spg), and fifth in blocks (0.91 bpg) in 70 gamesJoined Michael Jordan as the only rookies to lead their team in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316) and steals (84) since steals were first recorded in 1973-74Youngest player in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a game (51 vs. Orlando Magic on April 3)First rookie to have four or more games with at least 40 points since Allen Iverson in 1996-97Second-youngest Kia NBA Rookie of the Year winner (19 years, 112 days as of April 12, the final day of the regular season), behind only LeBron James (19 years, 106 days in 2003-04)Editorial StandardsReprints & PermissionsLOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video

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