Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets wing Kon Knueppel were chosen as the NBA’s Rookies of the Month for October and November, the league announced Thursday.
The selection marks the first time since the honor was split by conference in 2001 that both recipients came from the same college program; Flagg and Knueppel were teammates at Duke University last season.
Western Conference
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, rebounded from a slow start to average 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his first 20 games. The 18-year-old shot 46.2 percent from the field and 80.3 percent at the free-throw line, capping the period with a career-high 35 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 30.
He earned the nod ahead of fellow Western Conference rookies Cedric Coward, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Eastern Conference
Knueppel, selected fourth overall, stepped immediately into a major role for Charlotte. Through 20 contests, the 6-6 guard averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from three-point range.
He edged VJ Edgecombe and Ryan Kalkbrenner for the Eastern Conference honor.
With the monthly awards in hand, Flagg remains a narrow betting favorite for Rookie of the Year, though both first-year standouts have separated themselves early in the race.
Source: Hoops Wire
