Cooper Flagg has set a new NBA rookie record, with his Dallas Mavericks jersey selling for $1 million—surpassing Victor Wembanyama's previous mark of $762,000.
The NBA has produced a string of highly touted first overall picks in recent years. The league welcomed such talents as Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, and Cooper Flagg.
Dallas Mavericks / Schedule
While players like Karl—Anthony Towns and Zaccharie Risacher bucked the trends around them, the overall quality of top picks has steadily improved. Few rookies have entered the league with more hype than Wembanyama and Flagg. Both are projected as future faces of the sport, with GOAT potential. For now, Wemby has the clear edge on the court.
However, Flagg recently surpassed Wemby in one surprising category: jersey sales. The NBA has been auctioning key memorabilia in recent years, and this season made a bold move by having all rookies wear a gold patch in their first game, marking their jerseys as special.
Flagg's Dallas Mavericks rookie jersey recently sold for $1 million, the highest of any jersey sold directly by the NBA. The previous record was held by Wembanyama at $762,000.
Both players now compete in Texas, in the same division, on historic rivals. Flagg, originally from Maine, is expected to become a future face of American basketball and could represent Team USA as early as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, has already earned a silver medal with France. Their rivalry is expected to span both the NBA and international stages.
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