Flagg passes Knueppel in ROY odds after 'statement' game - ESPN

DALLAS — The Rookie of the Year odds have flipped in Cooper Flagg's favor after a historically spectacular weekend by the Dallas Mavericks ' teenage phenom.

In the wake of scoring 96 points in a two-game span, Flagg overtook Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel as the favorite for the award, according to DraftKings. Flagg has -250 odds ahead of Knueppel at +180.

Flagg followed up his teenage-record 51-point performance in Friday's loss to the Orlando Magic with 45 points in a near triple-double in Sunday's 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

«I think it's definitely some sort of statement,» said Flagg, who also had nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and a block in the victory. «But it just goes back to what I said: I'm confident in myself, and I know what I'm capable of. I'll just let the rest of the stuff figure itself out.»

Knueppel entered the weekend as the -300 favorite to win Rookie of the Year over his Duke roommate Flagg, who had +225 odds. Then Flagg became the first rookie since Allen Iverson — and only teenager ever — to average at least 45 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists over a two-game span.

According to ESPN Research, Flagg is the first rookie to score at least 45 points in consecutive games since Hall of Famer Walt Bellamy in 1962. Wilt Chamberlain, who accomplished that feat on three occasions, is the only other rookie to ever have such a streak.

Flagg has three of the four 45-point performances by a teenager in NBA history, including these last two games. He's one of only six players to record at least three 45-point seasons as rookies. The other five ---Bellamy, Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Earl Monroe and Lew Alcindor — all won Rookie of the Year en route to the Hall of Fame.

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