Former Duke Star Cooper Flagg Wins ROY Battle Over Kon Knueppel

The NBA Rookie of the Year voting came down to the former Duke Blue Devils stars, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.

Knueppel led the Rookie of the Year ladder for most of the season, but ultimately Flagg emerged as the winner of the Rookie of the Year race.

Flagg had a great season, averaging 21 points per game along with 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from three.

Knueppel had an impressive rookie campaign as well, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. The 20-year-old shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from behind the arc.

The former Duke stars picked up right where they left off from the college level, as they only got better from their time with the Blue Devils.

Flagg and Knueppel led Duke to the NCAA Tournament National Semifinal in the 2024-25 season, but fell short of winning it all.

Both were still impressive in college, as Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from deep.

Knueppel also played at a high level in his one season for the Blue Devils, averaging 14.4 points, four rebounds, 2.7 assists, and a steal per game. He shot 47.9 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from distance.

Duke has plenty of players who have become NBA stars, and Flagg and Knueppel are well on their way to becoming the next two.

Flagg is now the fifth former Duke star to win the Rookie of the Year award, joining Grant Hill, Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, and Paolo Banchero. 

Cameron Boozer will look to become the sixth, as he declared for the NBA Draft following his freshman campaign. Boozer had a standout year, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He was efficient, shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from downtown.

Boozer will look to add to the Duke legacy by being in the Rookie of the Year race after an epic clash from Flagg and Knueppel in the 2025-26 season.

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