NBA No.1 Draft Pick Cooper Flagg Embraces Mavericks Legacy, Aims To Lead Team To Success

Last Updated:June 28, 2025, 09:50 IST

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 NBA draft pick, aims to lead the Mavericks to success, joining stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.

Mavericks revealing Cooper Flagg's jersey to the media (AP)

Cooper Flagg didn’t wait for Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to break the silence at his introduction as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, addressing the packed Dallas news conference promptly at noon on Friday.

At 18, the former Duke star appeared increasingly at ease just two days after being welcomed by Commissioner Adam Silver on stage in Brooklyn. Flagg showed respect for the legacy of European stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, the latter of whom was traded in February. Despite just a 1.8% chance, the Mavs remarkably secured the potential new face of their franchise.

Flagg will join a roster that includes NBA champions Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson.

While fellow Duke alum Irving, a nine-time All-Star, is recovering from a torn ACL and may not play until January, the Mavericks are aiming for a playoff return after missing out in 2025. This follows their NBA Finals appearance the previous year, where they were defeated by Boston in five games.

Flagg was mindful of the franchise’s history when asked about following in the footsteps of Nowitzki, who has a statue outside the arena, and Doncic, whose departure deeply affected many Mavs fans. The arrival of Flagg, the third one-and-done Duke player for Dallas, has surely lifted their spirits.

“I’m coming in just trying to learn and get better every single day," Flagg said. “If I do that to the best of my ability, expectations and pressures will work themselves out. I’m just aiming to be the best I can be and win at the highest level."

The 6-foot-9 Flagg’s position on the court is an intriguing topic, as the Mavericks will lack a point guard until Irving returns.

“I want to put him at point guard," said coach Jason Kidd, who sat beside Flagg with Harrison on his other side. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts."

(with AP inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports NBA No.1 Draft Pick Cooper Flagg Embraces Mavericks Legacy, Aims To Lead Team To Success