Cooper Flagg’s mother, Kelly Flagg, has unsurprisingly been rooting for her son in his intense Rookie of the Year race against close friend and former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.
On Wednesday, Kelly reacted to NBA.com’s series of posts showing the rookie leaders in different categories, tweeting:
“Love How He’s Been on Every List.”
According to NBA.com, Flagg, ahead of Wednesday’s games, is third in both total steals (82) and steals per game (1.2). He tops rookies in total assists (304) and is second in assists per game (4.5).
Kon Knueppel is the No. 1 first-year player in total points with 1,474, but the Charlotte Hornets guard is second in points per game (18.7). Flagg is second (1,419) and first in the same categories (21.2).
The Dallas Mavericks’ do-it-all forward is also No. 3 in total blocks (63) and fifth in blocks per game (0.9). Despite the Mavs’ 25-55 record, the top pick of the 2025 draft has stood out.
According to NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner on Wednesday, Flagg’s traditional stats lead over Kon Knueppel “aren’t huge.” Aschburner argues that Knueppel’s “3-point prowess, efficiency and impact on Charlotte’s surprising success” give the No. 4 pick the slight edge over Flagg.
Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel Could Be Co-Rookie of the Year Winners
In a marathon that has arguably been a two-horse race between Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, the two could end up tied for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. While Flagg has the edge in traditional stats, Knueppel has been the significantly better shooter on a team that is causing the biggest surprise in the Eastern Conference.
If voters end up voting 50-50, Flagg and Knueppel will be declared co-ROY for the 2025-26 season, an arguably apt result due to their friendship.
A tie for the ROY race will not be the first time a draw has happened between two first-year players. Mel Hutchins and Bill Toshef in 1951-52 were the first co-ROY winners. Grant Hill and Jason Kidd, Flagg’s Mavericks coach, earned the same award during the 1994-95 season.
Knueppel is ahead of Flagg in last week’s rookie rankings from NBA.com and ESPN. Flagg exploded for 96 points in back-to-back weekend games before stuttering to 11 points on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. Knueppel has been steady for the Hornets throughout the season.
A tie wouldn’t be the worst result in the Flagg-Knueppel battle royale for the ROY honor.
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