Cooper Flagg narrowly tops Kon Knueppel for NBA Rookie of the Year

"It is surreal," Flagg said on Peacock. "It is pretty cool. That is, obviously, the award that all of the rookies come in their first year and are searching out wanting to get that recognition. It just means a lot, and I'm really blessed."

Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field in 70 appearances. He led the rookie class in scoring average and had the most 30-point games (11) by a first-year player since Victor Wembanyama in the 2023-24 season.

The former Duke All-American joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in history to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals since steals were first recorded in 1973-74. He is the second-youngest player to win the award (19 years, 127 days).

Flagg on April 3 became one of 10 rookies to score at least 50 points in a game. He followed that performance with a 45-point outing on April 5, joining Allen Iverson as the only first-year players since the NBA-ABA merger with back-to-back 40-point games.

The 6-foot-8 forward joined the Mavericks organization with tremendous hype after establishing himself as a possible generational prospect. He lived up to expectations already in Year 1 and appears to be on the verge of a sensational career.

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks news: Cooper Flagg tops Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year