From Duke Dormmates to NBA ROY Contenders: Flagg and Knueppel's Rise

Former Duke roommates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have become two of the NBA's top rookies, with Flagg anchoring the Dallas Mavericks and Knueppel thriving as a sharpshooter for the Charlotte Hornets. A preseason moment where Knueppel challenged Flagg helped cement their “old souls” bond, and coaches say their complementary games and close friendship position them as frontrunners for Rookie of the Year as they prepare for their first NHL-style head‑to‑head showdown on the NBA stage.