Cooper Flagg wins NBA Rookie of the Year after Kon Knueppel's Play-In Tournament struggles swayed voters‎

Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg edged fellow Duke alum Kon Knueppel in a razor-thin vote to win the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Cooper Flagg wins NBA Rookie of the year over former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel‎

Cooper Flagg set a host of records for an NBA teenager in an also-ran season for Dallas Mavericks. Kon Knueppel helped the Charlotte Hornets to a 25-win improvement that almost led to a spot in the playoffs.

Cooper Flagg wins NBA Rookie of the Year Award over Kon Knueppel‎

After an intense battle between both Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg all season, Flagg prevailed to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Cooper Flagg is voted NBA Rookie of the Year ahead of Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe‎

Why Cooper Flagg won NBA Rookie of the Year over college teammate Kon Knueppel in tight vote‎

Here's how a close NBA Rookie of the Year race ended.