The Dallas Mavericks have gone through a very challenging season ever since the blockbuster trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the struggling season did not stop Cooper Flagg from winning the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flag wins 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft edged out a competitive field, including former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, in voting by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Flagg becomes just the third Maverick to win the award, joining coach Jason Kidd and Doncic.
In 70 games, the 19-year-old forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. He led all rookies in scoring and became the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Flagg, the former Duke University star, also made history as the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game, posting 51 against the Orlando Magic. Despite a challenging season for the Mavericks, Flagg's all-around impact provided a bright spot and franchise cornerstone potential. He surged late in the year with multiple 40-point performances, including a near triple-double.
This powered his edge over challengers like Knueppel, who led the NBA in three-pointers made. The award caps a standout debut for the teenage phenom, who played 33.5 minutes per game and demonstrated elite two-way ability from the start.
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