Cooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie Of The Year

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)

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Cooper 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.