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DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg took the initiative to break the ice at a bustling press conference in Dallas as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, bypassing any formal introduction from Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
“Hello,” Flagg greeted attendees just as the clock hit noon on Friday.
The 18-year-old former Duke standout quickly found his footing, just two days after being welcomed on stage in Brooklyn by Commissioner Adam Silver.
Flagg paid homage to the legacy of European icons Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic — the latter being the generational talent traded in February, right before the Mavericks miraculously secured the opportunity for their next franchise cornerstone despite only holding a 1.8% chance in the draft lottery.
The Associated Press College Player of the Year expressed his fondness for Mexican cuisine and barbecue — the same question typically posed to new arrivals in Texas — and effortlessly named his top players from the NBA and WNBA.
In case you were curious, Flagg’s NBA selections included Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant, cleverly omitting the last names of the latter two. His WNBA picks featured Candace Parker, Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and, after a brief moment of thought, Caitlin Clark, “because she’s significantly impacted the game.”
It’s noteworthy that Flagg is about to be part of a roster that includes Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson, all of whom have NBA championships on their credentials.
Experts like Seth Davis, Brendan Haywood, and Damon Stoudamire are impressed by Cooper Flagg’s adaptability and commitment to teamwork.
Although fellow Duke alumnus Irving might not hit the court alongside Flagg until January while recovering from a torn ACL, the Mavericks are aiming for a playoff return after missing out in 2025. This follows a season where Irving and Doncic propelled Dallas to the NBA Finals, where they narrowly lost to Boston in five games.
Additionally, third-year player Dereck Lively II — another former Duke athlete who visited Flagg during his freshman year at the Blue Devils — provides further assurance that Flagg’s transition will be smoother compared to many top selections who find themselves in rebuilding phases.
“He’s fortunate to be surrounded by veterans and future Hall of Famers,” remarked coach Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard and the second overall pick by the Mavericks 31 years ago. “When you consider Kai, Klay, and AD, the veterans will shield him and assist his development while also challenging him.”
Flagg arrived in Dallas with Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont and both of their families. Among the attendees at the team’s practice facility near American Airlines Center was Mark Cuban, the former high-profile owner who sold a majority stake to the Las Vegas-based Adelson and Dumont families a year and a half ago, and is now serving as alternate governor.
Also present was Mark Aguirre, Dallas’s other No. 1 overall pick from 1981, sitting just a few seats away from Shawn Marion, who was part of the franchise’s only championship-winning team alongside Nowitzki in 2011.
Cooper Flagg spoke with Taylor Rooks about the emotional night, his new chapter in Dallas, and his thoughts on Kon Knueppel’s selection.
That row also included Rolando Blackman, who represented the Mavs when they experienced their first-ever lottery win.
A large part of the 45-year history of the franchise was present when Flagg was asked about stepping into the shoes of Nowitzki, who has a statue outside the arena, and Doncic, whose departure left a mark on numerous Mavs fans, who undoubtedly felt uplifted by the arrival of another one-and-done product from Duke.
“I’m here to learn and strive for improvement every day,” Flagg stated. “I believe that by focusing on being my best, the expectations and pressures from others will naturally take care of themselves. My goal is to contribute to winning at the highest level.”
At 6-foot-9, Flagg’s role on the court poses intriguing questions, especially as the Mavs will face a gap at point guard until Irving’s return.
“I want to test him at point guard,” Kidd shared, who sat beside Flagg on stage, with Harrison on the other side. “I want to create some challenges and observe how he responds.”
There was nothing in Flagg’s demeanor that suggested he was unsettled during his inaugural day as a Maverick in Dallas.
