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To hardly anybody’s shock, the Dallas Mavericks chosen Cooper Flagg with the highest decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg, 18, turned one of many youngest basketball stars taken at No. 1. LeBron James retains the excellence of being the youngest participant in league historical past to be taken with the highest total decide. Flagg described the second he heard his title known as by the NBA commissioner as “a dream come true.”
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Cooper Flagg talks to the media through the 2025 NBA Draft – Spherical One on June 25, 2025, at Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, New York. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Whereas Flagg primarily frolicked on the conventional ahead place throughout his lone season at Duke, the group’s roster additionally listed him as a guard. Former Mavericks participant and present coach Jason Kidd admitted he takes a extra nuanced method to gamers’ positions.
“I don’t take a look at the place,” Kidd stated throughout a press convention.
COOPER FLAGG TALKS NIL, FINANCES AND NEW PARTNERSHIP
Flagg is predicted to make his debut on the NBA Summer time League on July 10 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kidd revealed he desires to see Flagg in motion on the level guard place.
“I need to put him at level guard. I need to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Be capable to run the present. Be capable to play (capturing guard). Play (small ahead). He’s snug enjoying that. We need to push. I feel he’s going to reply in a constructive manner.”
Dallas Mavericks first total decide Cooper Flagg speaks to the media throughout a press convention on the Dallas Mavericks Observe Facility on June 27, 2025. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs)
Mavericks part-owner Mark Cuban backed the concept of testing Flagg on the level guard spot. Kidd stated he acquired a textual content from the billionaire studying, “level guard, level guard, level guard, let him carry the ball up.”
The 6-foot-9 basketball phenom was charged with bringing the ball up the court docket and getting the offense arrange at occasions at Duke. He in the end led the Blue Devils in assists.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; (from left) Dallas Mavericks common supervisor Nico Harrison and Mavericks first total decide Cooper Flagg and head coach Jason Kidd pose for a photograph on the Dallas Mavericks Observe Facility. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs)
Kidd disregarded issues about Flagg probably making errors whereas dealing with the ball as he performed the guard place.
“It’s all proper to fail, it’s all proper to show the ball over. We’ve talked about that. Simply understanding the fellows that I’ve been round which have been younger from Giannis (Antetokounmpo), giving him the ball, and he failed, however he needed to come back again and have the ball.”
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Kidd expressed pleasure about Flagg having the ball at summer season league in Las Vegas. “I’m excited to provide him the ball in opposition to the Lakers and see what occurs. Let’s get it began proper off the bat,” the Mavs head coach stated.
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