Mavericks Pick Cooper Flagg as No. 1: Analyzing His NBA Game Compatibility

Kelly Flagg often shares a piece of advice that her son, Cooper, echoed this week in New York: “If you’re the top player where you are, it’s time to seek tougher competition.” This philosophy led Cooper Flagg to leave his small high school in northern Maine for Montverde Academy in central Florida, a renowned basketball institution. His ambition prompted him to finish high school early and start college at Duke. Now, he stood ready at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, on the brink of becoming the youngest No. 1 NBA draft pick since LeBron James.

On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks confirmed their choice, drafting Flagg first overall. The decision was expected; Dallas had set their sights on Flagg following their surprising lottery victory. Flagg’s agents had checked whether the Mavericks might consider trading the pick, but were firmly told no. Flagg was central to whatever plans Dallas had moving forward.

Why would they waver? At 18, Flagg, a 6′ 8″ forward weighing 221 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan and a 35 ½-inch vertical leap, has become the most acclaimed U.S. basketball prospect since LeBron. He averaged 16.5 points per game during his senior year at Montverde, leading one of the most talented high school teams ever. At Duke, he scored 19.2 points per game and hit 38.5% of his three-point attempts.

“He’s one of the best prospects we’ve seen in years,” a high-ranking team executive commented. “Is he Wemby [2023 top pick Victor Wembanyama]? Maybe not quite. But every few years, you get those surefire No. 1 picks. Cooper is one of them. And they’ve all been successful.”

Executives wondered how a youngster from the small town of Newport, Maine—home to slightly over 3,000 people—could emerge as a top-tier talent. Cooper honed his skills playing against his twin brother, Ace, in their driveway, far from the typical training facilities.

Youth coach Andy Bedard from southern Maine was initially taken aback by Flagg’s abilities when he began coaching him. “In our circles, it’s rare to encounter someone so young with such height and skill, and yet not awkward like a baby giraffe,” Bedard noted. Despite his potential to dominate physically, Flagg impressed with his intelligent playmaking.

There’s no denying Flagg’s genetic advantage. His mother, Kelly, was a 5′ 10″ guard at the University of Maine, and his father, Ralph, was a 6′ 9″ player at Eastern Maine Community College. Kelly hoped her children would take to basketball and maybe earn college scholarships to ease financial pressures. Cooper’s natural ability, however, surpassed even her expectations.

Bedard focused on developing Flagg’s skills beyond those typical of a big man. In practice, Flagg worked with the guards, honing his ball-handling and shooting. Bedard’s son, Kaden, a skilled defender, would challenge Flagg full-court, a test Flagg soon learned to overcome.

“For a coach facing a pressing defense, he’s like a dose of blood pressure medication,” Bedard says. “Just give him the ball, and he slows the game down, finding space for everyone.”

In 2019, player development coach Matt MacKenzie, known in Maine for his innovative training methods, began working with Flagg. “My approach is built on small-sided games and introducing constraints that push players out of their comfort zones, requiring them to make decisions rather than just performing repetitive drills,” MacKenzie explains. He was impressed by how quickly Flagg adapted to these challenges.

“For example, in pick-and-roll situations or coming off screens, I’d show him a clip, and he’d immediately understand what to look for and adjust his play accordingly,” MacKenzie says. “His ability to process and stay steps ahead makes him an exceptional player.”

“His decision-making and positional awareness elevate everyone else on the court,” he added.

Brian Scalabrine, a former NBA forward and current analyst, witnessed Flagg’s skills firsthand during a session he conducted for high school players. Flagg excelled across all drills, including a complex layup drill introduced by Scalabrine, which he completed exceptionally quickly.

“He picked up everything on the fly, from high-speed drills to advanced pick-and-roll plays,” Scalabrine recalls. “In my 11 years in the NBA, playing alongside greats like Jason Kidd and Kevin Garnett, I’ve seen few who could match his rapid adaptation and understanding.”

Scalabrine introduced Flagg to Duke coach Jon Scheyer after observing his remarkable skill set. Scheyer, already familiar with Flagg’s reputation, was astounded when he saw him play in person at the Peach Jam tournament. “He was doing everything—scoring, rebounding, blocking shots. It was unlike anything I’d seen,” Scheyer remembers.

Last summer, Scheyer attended a USA Basketball camp in Las Vegas. Flagg, already committed to Duke, was invited to scrimmage with the U.S. Olympic team. On his second day, he made an impressive three-pointer over Anthony Davis and followed up with a putback dunk.

Scheyer recalls the day before, observing Flagg’s initial respect and humility towards other players. But as the games progressed, Flagg’s confidence surged. “By the end of the first day, it was clear he belonged,” Scheyer noted. “The next day, he just dominated.”

At Duke, Scheyer pushed Flagg to be more proactive. “Sometimes he’s too willing to pass and not step on toes, but the team performs best when he’s aggressive,” Scheyer explains. Defensively, he demanded more from Flagg, emphasizing positioning, communication, and adaptability.

There was a learning curve, but after returning from a Christmas break, Flagg was unstoppable, scoring heavily in subsequent games. Bedard, watching a game against Pittsburgh, marveled at Flagg’s ability to intercept a pass and dunk in just three dribbles.

“Observe how he minimizes dribbles and steps to control his movement and then execute a dunk,” Bedard points out. “That’s the kind of play that has NBA scouts talking.”

Scheyer praises Flagg’s coachable nature. “It’s never about hand-holding or coddling him,” he says. “That approach fosters a certain toughness, both mentally and physically, which is evident in everything he does on the court. Flagg isn’t interested in flashy plays, just the right ones.”

“Cooper doesn’t care about stats,” Scheyer continues. “He had impressive numbers this year, but they could have been even higher. He understands the importance of involving others, especially when we’re ahead. It’s rare to find someone so uninterested in personal stats.”

In Dallas, Flagg joins a team with high expectations. There were concerns that the lottery might place him in a rebuilding team. “He despises losing,” his mother, Kelly, remarks. The Mavericks, however, are loaded with talent, including stars like Davis and Irving, enhancing Flagg’s chances of success in a competitive environment rather than a struggling one.

Flagg himself is unfazed, viewing his competitive drive as normal for elite athletes.

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