A resurfaced video shows a 13-year-old Flagg running basketball drills while wearing a Mavericks t-shirt. Despite barely being a teenager, Flagg is shown running back and forth across the baseline to defend a corner three-point shot. As he travels back toward the basketball, Flagg is passed the ball, which he dunks repeatedly.

During the prime of his career, Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki often was unfairly compared to Larry Bird. Potentially, eventually, Flagg might be the much better Bird comp because of his two-way abilities; he’s more athletic than Bird and Nowitzki.

Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg will soon join the NBA. He is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, who won the top pick despite only having a 1.

When the Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on Monday night, it locked in more than just a franchise-altering moment—it ensured former Duke star Cooper Flagg would become the No.

The college basketball legend spoke about Flagg’s skill set a day after the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA draft lottery, setting themselves up to select Flagg with the top pick in June. Krzyzewski recalled seeing Flagg play at Montverde Academy as a high schooler.

There isn’t much to complain about with Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg’s game. Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA draft in six weeks, but before he hears his name called by commissioner Adam Silver,

It's a rare Texas two-step of No. 1 picks for Dallas. The Dallas Wings had the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft last month and took UConn's Paige Bueckers, and now the Mavericks will follow as holders of a No. 1 pick.

The talent speaks for itself,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “But I love coaching the person. He’s all about the right stuff.”