While Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg remains the betting favorite to win this season’s NBA Rookie of the Year award, the 19-year-old faces long odds to earn an All-Star selection in Year 1.
Even so, following the release of the second 2026 All-Star Game fan voting returns, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd made the case for Flagg to garner consideration.
Jason Kidd Highlights Cooper Flagg’s Versatility and Winning Impact in Push for Rookie’s All-Star Nod
Flagg was more or less an afterthought in Tuesday’s fan voting returns, placing 16th in the Western Conference with 236,182 votes. Nevertheless, the rookie has been integral to Dallas vying for a play-in spot near the season’s midpoint, providing three-level scoring, complementary playmaking, and impressive defense for his age.
The 2025 No. 1 pick has already set numerous age-related records, including the most points ever scored by an 18-year-old in a single game (42) shortly before his 19th birthday. He is also the only player this season who ranks in the top 10 in clutch points, rebounds, and assists.
Cooper Flagg is the only player this season ranking top 10 in clutch PTS, REB, & AST.
Unreal clutch gene for a 19-year-old rookie. pic.twitter.com/fwbcYLpUcD
— Real App (@realapp) January 7, 2026
As such, Flagg is considered a shoo-in for the 2026 Rising Stars Challenge. However, earning an All-Star Game nod will be far more difficult, especially considering the rarity of rookies being chosen for the event.
Only 45 players have been named All-Stars in their rookie campaigns, including just eight in the draft lottery era (since 1985), with the most recent being Blake Griffin in 2011. Still, Kidd had his top prospect’s back when asked about Flagg’s All-Star case on Tuesday.
“He’s going to be there [at All-Star Weekend] no matter what. If he participates in the big game, that’s because of the work he’s put in,” Kidd said. “We hope that he does make the big game and he gets voted in. He’s playing at a high level for a young player. He’s taking on the best defender. He’s trying to help his team win. He’s been very successful in late-game [situations].
“Hopefully, he’s in the big game, but he will participate in the little game, the one before. When you look at his stats, he’s in a great [draft] class. They have some guys that are playing at a high level. VJ [Edgecombe], [Kon] Knueppel, and Flagg, those guys are playing major minutes and helping their team win.”
Jason Kidd backs Cooper Flagg for Year 1 All-Star selection👀 https://t.co/z1mlMq2Yj3
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) January 7, 2026
Through 36 appearances, Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 3-pointers per game, shooting 47.8% overall and 81.5% at the free-throw line.
While his numbers have been impressive for a rookie, they lag behind those of more established players he is competing against for an All-Star spot, including first-time candidates such as Deni Avdija, Chet Holmgren, and Jamal Murray. Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ 11th-place standing in the West (14-23) won’t do him any favors when coaches vote on All-Star reserves.
Assuming he continues his upward trajectory, all signs point toward Flagg becoming a multi-time All-Star in due time, even if securing a nod this year appears to be a steep challenge.
