Duke rookies Flagg, Knueppel make history as NBA Rookie of the Year favorites

For the first time since sportsbooks began widely offering NBA awards odds in the 1999–2000 season, two U.S.-born white players sit atop the betting board to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Former Duke University standouts Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have emerged as the clear favorites for the 2025–26 honor, a combination without precedent in the history of the Rookie of the Year odds market.

While teammates have finished first and second in past voting, most notably in 2004–05, when Emeka Okafor edged former UConn teammate Ben Gordon, there has never been a point in a season when two white American players were listed as the top two favorites on the odds board.

That changed Nov. 15, when Knueppel moved into second behind Flagg. The order that day listed Flagg at minus-120, Knueppel at plus-250 and VJ Edgecombe third at plus-300. Since then, Flagg and Knueppel have remained the top two choices, with Knueppel briefly becoming the betting favorite from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 during a strong stretch before Flagg reclaimed the lead.

The historical context underscores the rarity of the moment. Mike Miller was the last white American player to win Rookie of the Year, taking the award in 2000–01. Before Miller, Larry Bird captured the honor following the 1979–80 season. No season has ever produced white American players finishing first and second in the voting.

As the market has tightened, according to BetOnline.ag. Flagg has pulled away. He is now listed as the overwhelming favorite, with Knueppel still well ahead of the rest of the field.

The latest Rookie of the Year odds list Flagg at minus-1200, Knueppel at plus-900, Edgecombe at plus-2500 and Derik Queen at plus-4500.

With months still remaining in the season, the race is far from decided on the court. But in the betting market, the two former Duke teammates have already carved out a historic place atop the Rookie of the Year board.