Kon Knueppel beats out Cooper Flagg for major honor

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kon Knueppel beats out Cooper Flagg for major honor

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 7:09 PM ET

The Rookie of the Year race remains wide open with the finish line approaching.

Cooper Flagg put up strong numbers for the Dallas Mavericks all season, posting 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He ran the offense for stretches and anchored the defense when Dallas needed it most.

Charlotte Hornets' Kon Knueppel didn't pile up stats at that level, but his contributions carried a different weight. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while breaking the rookie record for made three-pointers.

VJ Edgecombe and Dylan Harper both turned in solid rookie campaigns, but the conversation now centers on two former Duke teammates battling for the trophy.

Kon Knueppel claims Sporting News' Rookie Of The Year

While the NBA prepares to announce its official Rookie of the Year winner, Kon Knueppel already claimed one major honor. The Sporting News named him its Rookie of the Year, giving him recognition ahead of Flagg.

Kon Knueppel is The Sporting News Rookie of the Year

“He was a key reason why the Hornets were able to improve by a stunning 25 wins…” - @StephNoh pic.twitter.com/s25keyh3ei
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 21, 2026

Draft value always sparks debate, but Knueppel at No. 4 in the 2025 NBA Draft looks like one of the better selections from that class. Charlotte expected him to come in and knock down shots for an offense that thrived on volume.

He did exactly that and then some. Knueppel kept firing without hesitation, game after game, and wound up leading the entire league in made threes as a rookie. He finished the year with 273, setting a new rookie record in the process.

Knueppel’s shooting also pushed the Hornets to a 44-38 record and kept them in playoff contention down the stretch. His perimeter scoring turned Charlotte into one of the more efficient offenses in the NBA this season.

Flagg built a strong case of his own, but Knueppel's early surge and midseason consistency created separation. The biggest factor came down to winning. Knueppel lifted a playoff team while Flagg posted numbers on a roster that struggled all year.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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