The Dallas Mavericks star stepped to the podium to officially receive the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
It was a warm reception for Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg as he was given the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year trophy and spoke to the media at American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
Members of the Mavs organization lined the halls as Flagg made his way to the press conference, a moment of support that reminded last year's No. 1 overall of when his career began last summer.
"It brings me back to some of the first moments when I touched down in Dallas and got off the plane after the draft," Flagg said about the reception. "Just shows all the love and support all the people have had for me since Day 1 that have been here ... it means a ton."
Flagg beat out Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel to win the award, and the 26 voting points that separated the two made for the second-closest finish since the current voting format began over two decades ago.
The Mavs teenage star said he frequently kept up with Knueppel's performances on the court and would talk to him regularly throughout the season. The two were roommates in their lone season at Duke last year before becoming the No. 1 and 4 picks, respectively, in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg acknowledged how every rookie is in pursuit of what he ultimately claimed as his own.
"I think it means everything," Flagg said about winning Rookie of the Year. "This award and this recognition is something that all rookies come into the year fighting for, competing for. They're trying to put their best foot forward for this award, so I think just the recognition means a lot to me.
"All the hard work, all the hours I put in throughout the year ... just to get to this moment, it shows that it's all worth it."
Flagg led all rookies in scoring at 21 points per game to go along with averaging 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in league history to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists and steals for the entire season.
And as Flagg mentions, it was a long one. Dallas felt the brunt of numerous injury struggles and managerial turnover throughout Flagg's first season, which ended with a 26-56 record.
He credits some of those struggles for allowing him to learn and grow from them.
"There's moments throughout the year where I was at a low," he said. "Obviously, battling with the losses and struggling at times, but I think having my support system around me, my family, my teammates lifting me up and getting me through some of that stuff, it just helped me with my confidence overall.
"I think this award is just another step in the right direction in getting more confidence moving forward."
Flagg's first test of that confidence was at the very start of the season. Head coach Jason Kidd elected to put the rookie at the controls and have him play point guard when he'd never previously had experience, at any level, playing the position.
"As a player I'm always ready for a challenge. Something I've always prided myself on is just doing whatever it takes to win," Flagg said. "It was just another challenge, and being prepared to do what I had to do to help the team win in any way possible. ... It was just about overcoming the challenge and rising up."
Looking to next season, Flagg nodded to teammates Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Max Christie and Caleb Martin in attendance when saying the group is optimistic that a more competitive season is in store.
"I think we're all excited ... It's time for us to just move forward, continue to grow, continue to get better," Flagg said. "Have a high outlook on how next season can go. We're just going to put in the work all summer long and just get ready for it. So, I think we're all excited."
