A former NBA player had a strong take about ex-Duke stars Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.
Former Duke stars Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are in a tight race for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
However, former NBA forward Chandler Parsons doesn't think Knueppel will lose the award to Flagg despite Flagg being on a crazy tear as of late.
The Dallas Mavericks selected Flagg with the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in his lone season at Duke.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets selected Knueppel with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game at Duke.
Flagg was a star in college. Now, he's a star in the NBA. The swingman is averaging 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for the Mavericks.
Knueppel is in the same boat as Flagg. He was great in college and now he's great in the NBA. The forward is averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Hornets.
Everyone in the NBA is talking about the Rookie of the Year race. However, Flagg and Knueppel don't talk about it.
"No, we don't talk about Rookie of the Year at all," Flagg said, via Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. "But I've definitely kept in touch with him throughout the whole year. That's one of my brothers and he'll be one of my best friends the rest of my life.
"We've stayed connected and shared thoughts on things we see in our own individual games and try to help each other out as much as possible. That brotherhood and relationship is never going to die."
It will be fascinating to see who wins the Rookie of the Year Award between Flagg and Knueppel. One thing is certain: Knueppel and Flagg will be in the NBA for a long, long time. They are two of the best Duke alums in the game right now.
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