Cooper Flagg Talks About ROY Race Against Kon Knueppel

This year’s NBA rookie class is incredible. There was a ton of hype with the 2025 NBA Draft class before the season started, but not only have they lived up to that hype, but they may even be surpassing it. You’ve got guys like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel who look like they are already the franchise guys for their respective teams. Then there are guys like VJ Edgecomb and Dylan Harper who are already helping playoff teams compete. That’s just the beginning, too. There are multiple other players in this draft class who project to be at least impact players in the NBA. 

On Thursday night, the excellence of this rookie class was on full display. The Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks faced off in a game highlighted by the two best rookies this season, former teammates and roommates, Flagg and Knueppel. 

Flagg had a career high in the game, dropping 49 points and 10 rebounds on 20⁠–⁠29 shooting. Knueppel also had an excellent game with 34 points on 10-of-16 from the field, knocking down eight three-pointers.

Flagg spoke about the showdown after the game. 

"It's incredible...10+ years down the road, I think we'll both be looking back on this as a pretty special thing. I know we'll both be in this league for a long time… It's pretty well known that's my roommate last year. To have a night like this with him. I know how special he is and how hard he works... That's my brother for life."

It’s pretty cool to have two rookies playing at such a high level. The fact that they have a history with each other makes it even better. All NBA fans should hope this “rivalry” can grow and that we get many more showdowns between these two young studs in the coming years.