Cooper Flagg secured his position as the Dallas Mavericks’ top draft pick and NBA Rookie of the Year, earning a unanimous selection to the league’s All-Rookie First Team announced Wednesday night. The 19-year-old phenom joined four other standout rookies on the prestigious roster, cementing his status as one of the season’s brightest young talents. Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s former Duke teammate, and Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe also received unanimous first-team honors following the voter tallies.
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward rounded out the first team. All five players garnered votes for this year’s Rookie of the Year Award, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the 2025 draft class. Harper came seven votes shy of another unanimous selection with seven second-team votes, while Coward accumulated 125 total points from 29 first-team votes and 67 second-team votes across the 100 ballots tallied.
Flagg edges Knueppel in close Rookie of the Year race
The Rookie of the Year Award became a two-horse race between the Duke teammates throughout the season. Flagg narrowly defeated Knueppel, earning 56 first-place votes compared to his former college partner’s 44. Knueppel, selected third overall by the Hornets just two picks after Flagg, maintained a strong case for the award until late-season struggles shifted voter sentiment. Edgecombe finished in third place with 96 points, primarily from 93 third-place votes, while Harper and Coward also received third-place recognition.
At 19 years old, Flagg became the second-youngest player ever to win the award, trailing only Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James in that distinction. The Maine native’s achievement marked a historic moment for the Mavericks franchise and validated Dallas’ decision to select him with the top overall pick. His combination of scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and playmaking skills separated him from a talented rookie class.
Play-In Tournament struggles cost Knueppel the award
For most of the regular season, Knueppel appeared destined to capture Rookie of the Year honors with consistently impressive performances. Multiple voters publicly acknowledged that Knueppel’s Play-In Tournament struggles factored into their decision to switch their votes to Flagg. The Charlotte guard posted just six points on 2-of-12 shooting during the Hornets’ thrilling 127-126 overtime victory against the Miami Heat in the tournament’s opening game.
Knueppel’s difficulties continued in Charlotte’s 121-90 loss to the Orlando Magic. He managed only 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting with four made free throws in five attempts, finishing with a minus-26 rating during his time on the court. The back-to-back subpar performances in high-stakes games raised questions about his performance under playoff pressure, ultimately swaying enough voters to hand Flagg the award. Despite the disappointing finish, Knueppel’s regular season accomplishments remained undeniable.
Statistical dominance defines Flagg’s rookie campaign
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game during his debut season with Dallas. These numbers placed him among elite company in NBA history. Since the NBA-ABA merger, only Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Luka Doncic previously averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists as rookies. Flagg also led all first-year players in scoring this season, establishing himself as Dallas’ go-to offensive weapon.
- Flagg posted 21 points per game to lead all rookies in scoring
- His 6.7 rebounds per game ranked second among first-year guards
- The 4.5 assists per game demonstrated advanced playmaking ability
- He joined Bird, Jordan, and Doncic in an exclusive statistical category
- Dallas finished 48-34 with Flagg leading the offensive attack
Knueppel compiled impressive statistics of his own with 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. While Flagg held advantages in those categories, Knueppel reset the rookie record for three-pointers made with 273, surpassing the previous mark and leading the entire NBA in that category this season. His sharpshooting proved instrumental in Charlotte’s 44-38 record and Play-In Tournament appearance before the Magic eliminated them.
Harper and Edgecombe shine in playoff runs
Flagg maintained awareness of Knueppel’s performances throughout the season, demonstrating the bond forged during their time together at Duke. The Dallas rookie acknowledged checking box scores nightly and watching games when possible. Flagg expressed admiration for his former teammate, calling Knueppel “one of my brothers” and emphasizing their lifelong connection beyond basketball competition. The mutual respect between the two young stars remained evident despite their rookie award rivalry.
Neither Flagg nor Knueppel advanced deep into the playoffs, but Dylan Harper excelled alongside San Antonio teammates Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Wembanyama won Rookie of the Year two seasons prior, while Castle captured the honor during the 2024-25 campaign, making San Antonio a breeding ground for top young talent. Edgecombe played a crucial role in Philadelphia’s stunning first-round comeback against the Boston Celtics, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win the series in Game 7. The Sixers’ run ended with a sweep by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Second team features five additional talented rookies
The All-Rookie Second Team showcased the depth of the 2025 draft class. New Orleans Pelicans rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears both earned second-team recognition, marking the first time since 2019 that one franchise placed two players on the second team. Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud joined them after a solid debut season in California’s capital.
Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey and Toronto Raptors’ Collin Murray-Boyles completed the second team selections. Bailey’s defensive versatility and Murray-Boyles’ rebounding prowess gave their respective franchises valuable rotation pieces moving forward. The ten players honored across both teams represented seven different college programs and three international players, reflecting the global nature of modern basketball talent. The 2025 rookie class set the foundation for the next generation of NBA stars, with Flagg leading the way as the youngest player to achieve such immediate success since James two decades earlier.