The Race for NBA Rookie of the Year Might Not Be as Close as You Think
The race for Rookie of the Year this season has been one to remember. From teammates at Duke to going head-to-head in the NBA, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have been at the center of one of the league’s most compelling storylines this season.
Just a year ago, Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg were sharing the court together for the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team. While both teammates were widely regarded as talented NBA prospects, the narrative surrounding each of them was entirely different. During that season, Flagg led the entire roster in points, rebounds, and assists, with Knueppel not far behind, finishing top three on the team in points and assists. Despite both having breakout seasons, the narrative around them was different, with Flagg being regarded as a game-changer and future superstar, while Knueppel was seen more as a complementary piece. One opposing coach familiar with Duke told CBS Sports,
“Knueppel is such an awesome Robin.”
Following their breakout seasons at Duke, both players entered the NBA Draft, where they were selected not too far apart from one another. Cooper Flagg was selected #1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, while Kon Knueppel was selected #4 by the Charlotte Hornets. Just like the narrative surrounding them in college, there were very different expectations placed on each player. Flagg had big shoes to fill and was expected to step into a central role following the departure of Luka Dončić and help lead the team while Kyrie Irving was out with injury. Knueppel, on the other hand, was expected to support an already established young core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges on the Hornets.
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While Flagg has lived up to expectations, averaging 21 points per game and leading the Mavericks in scoring, Knueppel has exceeded them. This season, he has recorded the most three-pointers made and broken the Hornets’ franchise record for most threes in a season, surpassing Kemba Walker’s mark of 260 made three-pointers in the 2018–19 season. Knueppel is also third on his team in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game.
Knueppel’s production has translated into team success. After finishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, the Charlotte Hornets have taken a big step forward this year, fighting for a playoff spot and becoming much more competitive on a nightly basis. A substantial amount of that success has been tied to Knueppel’s spacing and scoring impact; his elite shooting percentages have made him a formidable perimeter threat, opening up the floor for his teammates to get easier buckets. What was expected to be a supporting role for the rookie has instead become a key driver in Charlotte’s offensive resurgence.
The race for Rookie of the Year has been neck and neck all season, with the odds for the favorite constantly changing. When selecting the Rookie of the Year, voters have to look at expectations, impact, and results. While both rookies have succeeded in all of those areas, the player that stands out is the one who has reshaped the narrative, going from sidekick to hero. While there are still a few games left to be played and opinions are constantly changing, it is important to remember one thing: the Rookie of the Year isn’t just about preseason hype. It’s about who has made the biggest impact, and this season, that has been Kon Knueppel.
