Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard-forward Kon Knueppel have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in December. pic.twitter.com/cKZMnzwR5p

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 2, 2026

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month for December, the league announced on Friday.

Flagg averaged 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal while shooting 51.6% from the field in 13 appearances, garnering the award for the second straight month. He led all first-year players in scoring and field goals (115).

The No. 1 pick recorded a career-high 42 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots on Dec. 15, finishing with the most points by an 18-year-old in history. He became the first rookie to score at least 40 points in a game since GG Jackson II (April 2024).

Knueppel also won for the second straight month, becoming the sixth player in franchise history to claim the award multiple times. He averaged 20.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds on 46.2% shooting from 3-point range in 12 games.

The fourth pick finished second in scoring and field goals (87), while he led all rookies in 3-pointers (117) and 3-point percentage. On Dec. 22, Knueppel became the fastest player in history to reach 100 career 3-pointers, doing so in 29 total games. 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard were among the players nominated from the West. Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe were nominated in the East.