In a heartwarming moment that transcends team rivalries, Cooper Flagg took the podium Wednesday after being named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year—and immediately turned the spotlight on his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel.

Though Flagg edged out Knueppel in the voting, the bond between these two Blue Devils remains unbreakable. "He's somebody who will be one of my best friends for the rest of my life," Flagg shared, his voice carrying the weight of a season spent apart but connected. "We stayed in contact, checking in on how things were different for each other, what we learned. It's about helping each other on our own journeys, even when we're not wearing the same jersey."

Their friendship didn't fade when they traded Duke blue for NBA colors. During the All-Star break, the duo was spotted courtside together at multiple Duke basketball games, a testament to their lasting ties to the program that shaped them. They also teamed up for a presentation at the 2026 NBA All-Star Technology Summit, proving their chemistry extends beyond the hardwood.

For Duke fans, the anticipation is building. The two former Blue Devils have only faced off once this season, but with the 2026-27 campaign on the horizon, basketball lovers are eager to see these lifelong friends become fierce competitors—if only for 48 minutes a night.