Overview
- Announced Monday, Flagg won 412–386 with 56 first-place votes to Knueppel’s 44, the second-smallest margin since the modern voting format began in 2002-03.
- Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games and joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals since 1973-74.
- The 19-year-old strengthened his case with headline nights late in the season, including a 51-point game that made him the youngest player ever to score 50 in the NBA.
- Knueppel set the rookie record with 273 made threes, shot 42.5% from deep and helped Charlotte finish 44–38 and reach the Play-In Tournament.
- Several voters said Knueppel’s Play-In struggles factored into their ballots, and early Play-In games occurred before ballots were due, giving those showings a chance to influence the race.