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Cooper Flaggs Wins Rookie of Year, Second-Youngest

4/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Cooper Flaggs was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, beating Kon Knueppel by a 26-point margin on April 27, 2026.
Flaggs averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games for Dallas.
At 19 years, 127 days he became the second-youngest winner and, with Michael Jordan, the only rookie to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 Shaquille O'Neal, the Orlando Magic’s first-overall pick, won Rookie of the Year after averaging 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds, lifting the franchise 20 wins and narrowly missing the playoffs. Two decades later, Cooper Flaggs replicated that impact for the Dallas Mavericks in 2026, leading his team in all major stats and prompting a renewed league focus on drafting dominant big men.

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Story summary

Cooper Flaggs was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, beating Kon Knueppel by a 26-point margin on April 27, 2026.
Flaggs averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games for Dallas.
At 19 years, 127 days he became the second-youngest winner and, with Michael Jordan, the only rookie to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

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