Blue Devil Country

Cooper Flagg on Elite List With Only Nikola Jokić

Cooper Flagg has been the best rookie in the NBA so far, but this stat proves how elite a talent he really is.
Hugh Straine|
Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Former Duke basketball rookie phenom Cooper Flagg has lived up to all the hype throughout his first near-half-season in the NBA. The 2025 No. 1 overall NBA Draft choice has been fantastic for the Dallas Mavericks, and despite the franchise underperforming relative to its preseason expectations, Flagg has shown all the signs of being a future star in the league.

The Maine native has started in 35 of the Mavericks' (13-23, 11th place in Western Conference standings) first 36 games of the 2025-26 regular season, and has already turned into a franchise cornerstone. On the campaign, Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a night on 47.6% shooting from the field. Despite the three-point shot not yet falling for the rookie (27.1% on 3.4 attempts a game), the 19-year-old is making a major impact in every facet.

Not only are Flagg's raw numbers eye-popping in and of themselves, but the 6'9" wing has already put himself in elite company with one of the greatest players that the league has ever seen.

Cooper Flagg on elite list with only Denver Nuggets' superstar Nikola Jokic

As a rookie, Flagg is leading the Mavericks in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. The only other player in the NBA who can say the same is NBA Champion and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. Pretty elite company, and Flagg is accomplishing this feat after just recently turning 19 years old.

Flagg currently has 187 more points and 19 more assists than the next Maverick up in those respective categories. Not only is he leading his team, but he is doing it in dominant fashion.

The NBA Rookie of the Year race has been established as a two-man dash between Flagg and his former running mate at Duke, Kon Knueppel. Knueppel was taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft, and the pair have proven to be the two most productive rookies in the league thus far.

Knueppel has started 33 of Charlotte's (12-23, 12th place in Eastern Conference standings) 35 games so far and is averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a contest on 47.9% shooting from the floor and 42.8% shooting from beyond the perimeter on a hefty 8.4 attempts. The Duke product leads all rookies in made threes with 122, and the next rookie on that list is the Brooklyn Nets' Egor Dëmin at 67.

Flagg entered Durham as a can't-miss prospect, and demonstrated that elite potential through the entirety of his lone season with the Blue Devils. Less than halfway through his rookie year in Dallas, it's clear the hype was worth it.

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Hugh Straine
HUGH STRAINE

Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI.