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last mo.

Cooper Flagg Wins ESPY, Earns Shaquille O’Neal’s Praise as Mavericks Halt His Summer League Run

Dallas sat the top draft pick after two Summer League games to safeguard his health ahead of a versatile rookie season under coach Jason Kidd’s guidance.

Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2025 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils runs down the court during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers at Lenovo Center on March 21, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.

Overview

  • Flagg averaged 20.5 points, five rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in two Summer League contests before Dallas opted for a cautious shutdown.
  • He claimed the ESPY for Best College Athlete in Men’s Sports, adding to his national player-of-the-year and ACC honors from Duke.
  • The Duke Blue Devils celebrated his ESPY achievement with a social media post reading “Yeah Coop!!!” in support of their former star.
  • Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal endorsed Flagg as a “great young man” and praised the Mavericks as the perfect setting for his development.
  • Jason Kidd plans to deploy Flagg in multiple capacities, including point guard minutes, as part of Dallas’s strategy to cultivate its No. 1 overall pick.