2025-26 NBA All-Rookie Teams: Flagg and Knueppel Shine, Edgecombe and Harper Make Their Mark
The NBA recently announced its All-Rookie Teams for the 2025-26 season, with Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel leading the way. Flagg narrowly edged out Knueppel for the Rookie of the Year award, receiving 56 first-place votes compared to Knueppel's 44. Flagg made history by becoming only the second rookie since 1973-74 to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals in a single season, joining the likes of Michael Jordan. He also set records for scoring as an 18-year-old, surpassing LeBron James' single-game scoring record and becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game.
Knueppel, on the other hand, played a crucial role in the Charlotte Hornets' turnaround this season, helping them secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament after a disappointing previous season. He led the league in three-pointers made and averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Other standout rookies included VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers and Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs. Edgecombe played a key role in the 76ers' playoff run, helping them reach the second round with a notable win over the Boston Celtics. Harper, on the other hand, has been a crucial player for the Spurs in their championship pursuit, averaging 11.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game during the regular season and stepping up in the playoffs with 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Both Edgecombe and Harper have made significant impacts in their respective teams' postseason performances, with Harper particularly shining in the Western Conference Finals with a double-double of 24 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in a Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harper's impressive play has solidified his status as an All-Rookie First-Team selection and a key contributor to the Spurs' championship aspirations.