NBA announces 2025-2026 All-Rookie teams as Flagg secures top honours
Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg leads the unanimous first-team selections alongside Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe, while also claiming the Rookie of the Year award.
The National Basketball Association has officially unveiled its 2025-2026 All-Rookie Teams, marking a key milestone in the league’s annual awards calendar. The announcement, released on Wednesday night, confirmed the first-team selections that will define the performance standards for first-year players across the competition.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe were named unanimous first-team honourees. They were joined on the first team by San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward, completing the five-player squad recognised for their contributions during the season.
Flagg’s selection was particularly significant as he also secured the NBA Rookie of the Year award, edging out Knueppel in the voting process. The five first-team players were the only candidates to receive votes in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Harper’s performance on the ballots was notable, appearing on all 100 ballots with 93 first-team votes and seven second-team votes.
In terms of statistical output, Edgecombe played in 75 games, averaging 16.0 points per game, which stood as the third-highest mark for a rookie this season. Flagg averaged 21 points and six rebounds during the campaign. Harper appeared in 69 games, largely coming off the bench, and was noted for highlight-reel dunks down the stretch of the season.
The All-Rookie second team features players from several franchises, including New Orleans Pelicans guards Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey, Sacramento Kings centre Maxime Raynaud, and Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles. Notably, Charlotte Hornets centre Ryan Kalkbrenner received the most votes for the second team but did not make the squad, with eight other players also receiving second-team votes.
The NBA will continue its awards announcements later this week, with the All-Defensive team to be revealed on Friday and the All-NBA team on Sunday. The Coach of the Year award is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, concluding this segment of the league’s annual honours.
