Duke basketball’s latest one-and-done phenoms are about to take center stage on one of the NBA’s biggest platforms. Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, two of the top rookies in the league, have been selected to participate in the NBA Rising Stars game on February 13 - a showcase that brings together the best first- and second-year players during All-Star Weekend.
Flagg and Knueppel didn’t just make the cut - they headlined the event’s draft. Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was also the top selection in the Rising Stars draft, chosen by honorary coach Carmelo Anthony.
Right behind him, Knueppel went second overall to another NBA legend, Tracy McGrady. Vince Carter rounds out the trio of honorary coaches for the event, adding even more star power to a game that’s quickly becoming a must-watch for fans tracking the league’s future.
This moment is another chapter in what’s already been a remarkable journey for both players, who shared the court at Duke during the 2024-25 season. Flagg, the highly touted freshman, lived up to every bit of the hype - and then some.
He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, earned AP National Player of the Year honors, and helped guide the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance. From there, the Dallas Mavericks made him the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
Through his rookie campaign, Flagg is putting up 18.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game - numbers that not only lead all rookies in scoring but also hint at a star in the making.
Knueppel, meanwhile, carved out his own impressive path. The versatile wing made his presence felt in Durham, earning a spot on the ACC All-Rookie Team and capturing MVP honors at the ACC Tournament.
Team T-Mac selects Kon Knueppel with the 2nd pick in the Castrol Rising Stars Draft! https://t.co/2FgfQaWCcv pic.twitter.com/Kctu21Pq03
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2026
He was selected fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets and has been a steady force in their rotation, averaging 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Like Flagg, Knueppel has quickly shown he belongs, and his offensive production has been one of the few bright spots for a Hornets team still trying to find its footing.
While the Mavericks sit at 19-27 and the Hornets at 19-28, both franchises know they’ve landed foundational pieces. And with both rookies already earning league-wide recognition, their Rising Stars appearances are more than just a nod to potential - they’re a reflection of how quickly they’ve adjusted to the NBA game.
Their participation also adds to Duke’s storied pipeline to the pros. As of 2025, 116 former Blue Devils had made it to the NBA - a list that includes names like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Chris Duhon, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson. Flagg and Knueppel are simply the latest in a long line of Duke standouts making their mark at the next level.
The Rising Stars game is part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities, which run from February 13 to 15 in Los Angeles. For fans of the college game and NBA alike, this is a chance to see two of the league’s most promising young players go head-to-head under the bright lights - just like they did in Cameron Indoor, only now on a much bigger stage.