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(WBTV) – Dallas Mavericks rookie phenom Cooper Flagg was named the NBA’s top rookie on Monday night, beating out his college teammate.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, had a historic season for the Mavericks. He was named the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday, April 27.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg gestures during an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)(Jessica Tobias | AP)
The former Duke Blue Devil beat out former teammate and Charlotte Hornets rookie superstar Kon Knueppel.
Flagg was one of four rookies in history to average at least 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. The former Blue Devil was the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-1985 to lead his team in points, rebounds, steals and assists.
He finished the season averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. While also averaging 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
This season, Flagg became the first teenager to score 30 or more points in four straight games. Flagg had a career high 51-points on April 3, 2026.
He became the first teenager in NBA history to score 50 or more points in a game.
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Former teammate Knueppel helped lead the Hornets to the play-in tournament and their first win. He also led the NBA in three-pointers with 273, and set the NBA rookie record for three-pointers.
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel shoots a free throw during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)(Nell Redmond | AP)
The sharpshooter also became the fastest player to reach 200 three-pointers made. Despite Knueppel’s historic season and the Hornets playoff run, it wasn’t enough to beat Flagg for top rookie honors.
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