The 2025–26 NBA rookie class came in with serious hype, and most of it centered around one name: Cooper Flagg.
The No. 1 overall pick was widely viewed as a franchise-altering talent, a do-it-all forward expected to dominate from Day 1.
Early betting markets and preseason projections had him as a near lock for Rookie of the Year.
But as the regular season winds down and the playoff picture sharpens, the narrative has taken a sharp, unexpected turn.
According to ESPN analyst Zach Kram’s latest rankings, it’s now Kon Knueppel, not Flagg, who sits firmly atop the Rookie of the Year race.
And not just narrowly. The gap, by advanced metrics and overall impact, “isn’t close.”
“According to ESPN’s net points metric, Knueppel has contributed 153 points above average on offense this season. No other rookie is above 18,” Kram wrote.
“Knueppel stands out even when compared to the entire league, not just rookies. He’s 11th overall in offensive net points; the two players directly ahead of him are Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, and the two players directly behind him are Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey. Simply put, Knueppel has been one of the best players in the NBA this season.”
“He’s leading the league in total 3-point makes. He’s third among qualified perimeter players in true shooting percentage, behind only Gilgeous-Alexander and Sam Merrill,” Kram added. “And he’s a major contributor to a surprisingly winning team. Knueppel should win the Rookie of the Year award, and for as well as Flagg has played, the decision shouldn’t be that close.”
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At Duke, Knueppel built a reputation as one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball. As a freshman, he averaged 14.4 points on 48% shooting from the field and over 40% from three, earning All-ACC honors and tournament MVP recognition.
Charlotte selected him No. 4 overall in the 2025 draft, a pick that now looks like a franchise-defining decision.
He’s averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while posting elite shooting splits, including 43.6% from three and 48.7% from the field.
Even more eye-popping is that he’s already broken the NBA rookie record for total three-pointers in a season, surpassing 200 makes in under 60 games.
Perhaps the biggest separator, though? Winning.
The Charlotte Hornets have quietly become one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch, winning 12 of their last 15 games to reach 38–34 entering the final stretch, momentum fueled in large part by their rookie star.
Knueppel’s spacing, shot-making, and decision-making have unlocked the offense, complementing players like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller and turning Charlotte into a legitimate playoff threat.
If he closes the season strong, the award is his to lose.
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