The Maine Event Delivers: Cooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie of the Year

The Maine Event has finished on top. Cooper Flagg has wrapped up his season with the words we were all waiting for: the Best Rookie in the NBA.

The Newport native was named the 2025–2026 NBA Rookie of the Year, beating out V. J. Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers and his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. He is the first Dallas Mavericks player to win the award since Luka Dončić in 2019.

Just How Good Was Cooper Flagg in His Rookie Season in the NBA?

Clearly, Flagg was everything—and more—than what was advertised to teams in his first year. The phenom had the kind of season every Dallas Mavericks fan dreamed of. And even though Dallas failed to make the playoffs, it doesn’t take away from what this team has for the future: a bona fide superstar.

Flagg did just about everything this season. He was the unquestioned leader, often playing multiple positions—including point guard—because of consistent holes in the roster. It was a lot to ask of any young player, and asking a 19-year-old rookie to take on that role speaks volumes.

Flagg led the team in scoring (21.0 points per game, which also ranked in the top 25 in the league), ranked fourth in rebounding (6.7), second in assists (4.5), and first in steals (1.2). Those numbers improved all year as the young rookie found his way in the competitive league.

Many thought Flagg was out of the Rookie of the Year race after he missed a handful of games due to injury. However, he came back with a vengeance, including performances of 51 and 45 points and a scoring average of 29.1 points per game in April.

How Close was This Year's NBA Rookie of the Year Race?

It was a very tight vote, with Flagg receiving 56 first-place votes and 44 second-place votes. Knueppel finished with 44 first-place votes, 55 second-place votes, and one third-place vote. This accurately reflects the kind of race it was all year, a great battle between good friends.

READ MORE: Maine Native Mackenzie Holmes Returns to WNBA, After Breakout Season Abroad

Congratulations to Cooper on his continued success. This is a well-deserved honor and just another highlight in what could be an unbelievable career for the youngster. Now, it’s time for the Mavs to surround him with more talent.