NBA roundup: Mavs' Cooper Flagg narrowly wins rookie of the year award
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg narrowly won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award over Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel in one of the closest votes in recent history. Flagg, the top draft pick, led all rookies in scoring and was second in assists, joining elite company with his all-around stats. Despite Knueppel setting a league record for 3-pointers by a rookie, Flagg secured the honor with 56 first-place votes. The award caps a standout debut season for Flagg, who helped lead the Mavericks in a competitive rookie class.
- ▪Cooper Flagg won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award with 412 points, edging out Kon Knueppel's 386 in a tight media vote.
- ▪Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, becoming one of four rookies since the NBA-ABA merger to reach at least 20/6/4.
- ▪At 19 years and 112 days old, Flagg is the second-youngest Rookie of the Year, just six days older than LeBron James was in 2004.
- ▪Kon Knueppel led the NBA with 273 made 3-pointers but finished third on his team in scoring behind LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
- ▪Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting with 96 points, while Dylan Harper and Cedric Coward also received votes.
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