Dirk Nowitzki commends Mavericks' Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki commended Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg for winning the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award this week.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki commended Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg for winning the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award this week. Flagg averaged 21 points, 6. 7 rebounds, 4.
5 assists and 1. 2 steals while shooting 46. 8% from the field in 70 appearances.
He led the rookie class in scoring average and had the most 30-point games (11) by a first-year player since Victor Wembanyama in the 2023-24 season. The No. 1 overall pick is the third player in franchise history to win, joining Luka Donฤiฤ and coach Jason Kidd.
He was praised by Nowitzki for the way he handled the spotlight throughout the season and for establishing himself as a leader on the team. "I love Kon, and I think they both deserved it," Nowitzki said on "NBA on Prime" on Wednesday . "You could have gone co-Rookie of the Year.