All articles tagged with #kon knueppel
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe were unanimously named to the First Team All-Rookie, with Flagg capturing Rookie of the Year, as this year's exceptionally deep rookie class produced several worthy second-team candidates and left some playoff contributors off the All-Rookie list.
Cooper Flagg narrowly won the NBA Rookie of the Year over Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, becoming the Dallas Mavericks’ third ROY after Jason Kidd and Luka Dončić. Flagg posted 21 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 4.5 APG while anchoring Dallas and delivering a record 51-point game; Knueppel averaged 18.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 3.4 APG for the Hornets, including a rookie-record 273 three-pointers. Voting was close: Flagg led with 56 first-place votes to Knueppel’s 44, while Knueppel had 55 second-place votes to Flagg’s 44.
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals since Michael Jordan; he edged former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel by 26 points in a close vote, with Knueppel having led the league in 3-pointers and helped Charlotte reach the play-in.
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, edging his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.
Charlotte’s turnaround has real momentum: rookie Kon Knueppel set a franchise 3-point record and has become a Rookie of the Year contender, LaMelo Ball has grown into a stabilizing star, and a retooled front office with heavy investment in development has built a fast, efficient offense anchored by strong rebounding. The Hornets have surged since January, posting top-tier net ratings and offensive efficiency, and sit in Play-In position with a young core and draft capital to sustain the rise—though sustainability and steps beyond the Play-In remain the next test.
SB Nation ranks the 12 best rookies of the 2025-26 season, led by Kon Knueppel’s league-leading shooting and playmaking, with Cooper Flagg a standout No. 2 who could still win Rookie of the Year; the list also highlights diverse strengths from Hugo Gonzalez’s defense to Dylan Harper’s rim finishing, showcasing a strong, versatile 2025 draft class.
Kon Knueppel remains the Kia Rookie Ladder leader in a tightening ROY race, edging ahead of Cooper Flagg thanks to durability and Charlotte’s stronger win total, while Knueppel’s deep shooting and efficiency keep him ahead (he’s leading in 3-pointers and flirting with 50/40/90-level accuracy). VJ Edgecombe stays third; Dylan Harper and Derik Queen sit 4th and 5th, with other rookies like Ryan Nembhard and Hugo González making notable contributions as voters prepare for ROY decisions in about six weeks (stats through March 3).
Kon Knueppel has delivered a more impactful rookie season for the Hornets than Cooper Flagg for the Mavericks, posting superior shooting efficiency, an elite rookie three-point rate, and strong win shares, while Flagg—though the top-two pick—has a high-usage role that hurts his efficiency. The race is razor-thin and influenced by injury and perception, but Knueppel’s all-around impact makes a case for him as RoY over the hype surrounding Flagg.
Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 made 3-pointers, accomplishing the feat in 58 games, while leading rookies with 201 threes this season and helping Charlotte push toward a play-in spot.
Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets climbs back to No. 1 on the Kia Rookie Ladder after reaching 201 3-pointers in 58 games, passing injured Cooper Flagg. Flagg is sidelined with a left-foot sprain, giving Knueppel space to push toward record pace and potentially join the 50/40/90 club, with a rookie rematch in Charlotte on the horizon.
Cooper Flagg scored 49 points, the most by a teenager in NBA history and the Mavericks’ franchise rookie record, in a 123-121 loss to Charlotte; Duke teammate Kon Knueppel added 34 for the Hornets, setting a Hornets rookie 3-pointers record and sealing the win with two free throws with 4.1 seconds left. The duo, former Blue Devils roommates, became the first pair of opposing rookies from the same college to each score 30+ in the same game.
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg erupted for 49 points to set the NBA teen scoring mark and break the Mavericks’ franchise rookie record (the latter held by Mark Aguirre, whose jersey was retired at halftime), but ex‑Duke teammate Kon Knueppel answered with a career‑high 34 and hit two late free throws to lift Charlotte past Dallas 123–121. The two top ROY candidates each finished the night among the leaders in rookie scoring, and they’ll meet again March 3 in Charlotte.
Kon Knueppel scored a career-high 34 and hit two clutch free throws with 4.1 seconds left to lift the Charlotte Hornets to a 123-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, spoiling Cooper Flagg’s 49-point night. Knueppel forced a turnover on Flagg with seven seconds remaining to set up the goes-ahead moments as Charlotte extended its five-game win streak (their longest since Feb. 2023). Brandon Miller added 23 and LaMelo Ball 22 for the Hornets, while Flagg led Dallas with 49 points and Klay Thompson chipped in 16 in the Mavericks’ loss.
Four Rising Stars teams were formed for 2026 by NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks was the top pick, with Kon Knueppel (Hornets) and V.J. Edgecombe (Sixers) also among notable G League selections. Flagg is posting strong numbers (18.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 SPG), while Knueppel (18.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 42.2% 3PT) and Edgecombe (15.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 36.4% 3PT) have the Hornets and 76ers looking to capitalize on their development in the event.
The NBA revealed the pool of rookies and sophomores invited to the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend, led by Cooper Flagg, Stephon Castle and Kon Knueppel. Those players will be drafted by Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady into three seven-player teams (plus a G-League squad) for a mini-tournament in Los Angeles, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.