Kon Knueppel Finishes as Rookie of the Year Runner-Up

Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel finished as the runner-up for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award. The former Duke standout was widely expected to finish in the top two and ultimately trailed winner Cooper Flagg by 12 first-place votes. His inclusion as a finalist highlights an impressive debut season, marking the end of a highly competitive race between the former Blue Devils teammates for the league's top rookie accolade.