The 2025-26 @kiausa NBA Rookie of the Year is... @cooper_flagg!
A rookie race to remember ended with Cooper Flagg joining special company – again.
The Mavs forward and No. 1 overall pick was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday after a debut season that matched hype with production, and then some.
Flagg’s all-around game shined in Year 1, leading all rookies in scoring (21 PPG), while ranking 2nd in assists (4.5) and steals (1.2), 4th in rebounds (6.7) and fifth in blocks (0.9) per game across 70 outings.
At 19 years and 112 days old (as of April 12, the final day of the regular season), Flagg is the second-youngest Kia NBA Rookie of the Year winner behind only LeBron James (19y, 106d) – adding more history to a record season.
- Do It All: Flagg finished the year as Dallas’ leader in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316) and steals (84)
- Rare Air: Only one other rookie has led his team in all four categories since steals were first tracked in 1973-74: Michael Jordan
- 50-Point Flash: On April 3, Flagg poured in 51 points against the Magic, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-ball
- Bona Fide Buckets: He’s also the first rookie since Allen Iverson (1996-97) to post four 40-pieces
Photo Finish: Flagg edged out his former Duke teammate, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, by 26 points for 1st place, marking the second-smallest top-2 margin under the current Kia ROY voting format (since 2002-03).
Philly’s VJ Edgecombe finished 3rd, rounding out a standout group of finalists.
The 2025-26 @kiausa NBA Rookie of the Year is... @cooper_flagg!
A rookie race to remember ended with Cooper Flagg joining special company – again.
The Mavs forward and No. 1 overall pick was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday after a debut season that matched hype with production, and then some.
Flagg’s all-around game shined in Year 1, leading all rookies in scoring (21 PPG), while ranking 2nd in assists (4.5) and steals (1.2), 4th in rebounds (6.7) and fifth in blocks (0.9) per game across 70 outings.
At 19 years and 112 days old (as of April 12, the final day of the regular season), Flagg is the second-youngest Kia NBA Rookie of the Year winner behind only LeBron James (19y, 106d) – adding more history to a record season.
- Do It All: Flagg finished the year as Dallas’ leader in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316) and steals (84)
- Rare Air: Only one other rookie has led his team in all four categories since steals were first tracked in 1973-74: Michael Jordan
- 50-Point Flash: On April 3, Flagg poured in 51 points against the Magic, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-ball
- Bona Fide Buckets: He’s also the first rookie since Allen Iverson (1996-97) to post four 40-pieces
Photo Finish: Flagg edged out his former Duke teammate, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, by 26 points for 1st place, marking the second-smallest top-2 margin under the current Kia ROY voting format (since 2002-03).
Philly’s VJ Edgecombe finished 3rd, rounding out a standout group of finalists.
