The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year race was one of the closest in recent memory.
Ultimately, Dallas Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg bested his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets to claim the hardware.
While fans in Charlotte may not agree, the NBA picked the right guy to win the award. At least Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki thinks so.
Dirk Nowitzki Thinks Cooper Flagg Deserved to Win Rookie of the Year
GettyBERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 15: Dirk Nowitzki, German former basketball player speaks prior to the NBA Match between Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at Uber Arena on January 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
On the Amazon Prime pregame show on Wednesday, Nowitzki discussed the Rookie of the Year race. While he acknowledged that Flagg and Knueppel could have been co-award winners, he also explained why he thinks Flagg is ultimately deserving of being the sole recipient.
“I don’t want to sound like a homer here, which I do anyway. I love Kon and I think they both deserved it. You could have gone co-Rookie of the Year. But, I watched Cooper all year long. The stuff he had to deal with early with all the negativity around and the booing. There was a lot happening in that whole season but the way he kept his head down, worked, got better,” Nowitzki said.
“Started at point guard at 6’9, something he’s never done. To me, he’s had an incredible year. … He led the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. There’s only two other rookies that have ever done it. So, he had some historic numbers as a teenager, that’s the crazy thing is he’s only 19,” he added. “Well deserved Cooper, we’re proud of you.”
By winning Rookie of the Year as a member of the Mavericks, Flagg accomplished something that Nowitzki never did. Jason Kidd and Luka Doncic are the only other two Mavericks players to ever win the award.
Cooper Flagg Says Rookie of the Year Award Means ‘Everything’
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 23: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center on December 23, 2025 in Dallas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
There was a whole lot of hype around Flagg heading into his rookie campaign after Dallas selected him with the top pick in the draft last June. But he lived up to all of it and now he has the hardware to show for it.
“It means everything,” Flagg said of winning the award. “This award and this recognition is something all rookies come into the year fighting for and competing for. … I think just the recognition means a lot to me. All the hard work, all the hours I put in throughout the year and throughout the years previous and throughout my life to get to this moment.”
While Rookie of the Year was Flagg’s first major NBA award, it very likely won’t be his last.
Dirk Nowitzki Sends Message to Cooper Flagg After Rookie of the Year Victory