Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) low fives forward/center Anthony Davis (3) in the first half of game against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) low fives forward/center Anthony Davis (3) in the first half of game against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center.
Key Points
When the 2025-2026 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will still be just 18 years old. After wrapping up the preseason with an impressive 121-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg will make his regular season debut at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
Despite his age, Flagg has played beyond his years at every stop in his career so far. The No. 1 overall draft pick averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 assists and 4.2 assists as a freshman with the Duke Blue Devils, winning the Wooden and Naismith National Player of the Year awards during his one-and-done season of college basketball.
New Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg alongside the team's general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd.
New Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg alongside the team's general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd.
Ahead of Flagg’s first NBA season, Mavericks center Dereck Lively II shed light on how the rookie’s youth shows up day in and day out.
“He’s still the youngest in the gym,” noted Lively, 21. “He’s always trying to crack a joke, to poke fun at the old guys, which is hilarious … Bringing that joy, that immaturity, it makes everybody loose.”
Though Lively found it funny how Flagg would call everyone “Unc” (short for uncle) at first, he said that he is starting to draw a strong line with the rookie when the jokes come in his direction.
“I make sure he doesn’t bring that towards me because I’m not that old,” said Lively. “I let him call me ‘Unc’ once or twice because I’m a dad but we ain’t letting it slide any more.”
For Flagg, respect will have to be earned on a veteran Mavericks roster loaded with basketball pedigree. Injured point guard Kyrie Irving joins Flagg and Lively as former Blue Devils coached by the legendary Mike Krzyzewski. Flagg, Irving and Anthony Davis can relate to the pressure of being the No. 1 overall draft pick. Former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and head coach Jason Kidd bring NBA championship experience for Flagg to learn from.
“We just want Cooper to be an 18-year old who’s going to turn 19 in December and be a kid, enjoy this journey,” Kidd told ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Wednesday. “He is surrounded with a lot of positive energy, a lot of wisdom in the game of basketball. So far he’s passed every test.”
In the preseason, Kidd experimented with the 6-foot-9 Flagg as a point guard while Irving rehabs a torn ACL in his left knee. Flagg averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21.8 minutes per game during the Mavs’ four preseason games.