There’s good motive the Dallas Mavericks had been leaping for pleasure after touchdown the primary general decide.
Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks’ high brass celebrated after being given a much-needed likelihood to reset when the franchise was drawn the highest general decide by way of the NBA Draft Lottery.
The Mavericks now have the proper to pick out extremely touted prospect Cooper Flagg, with head coach Jason Kidd indicating that is precisely what they are going to do.
Kidd mentioned the expertise the Mavericks have obtainable to assist Flagg, citing Anthony Davis, a former primary decide.
Davis options on a uncommon checklist of elite school prospects over the previous 15 years, one which Flagg has planted his title on too.
Cooper Flagg’s performances for Duke over the previous season noticed him as much as the hype, with groups tanking to attempt to land him via the Lottery.
Proof of his excessive capacity is tracked via Bart Torvik’s superior stats, which data school field plus-minus courting again to the 2007-08 season.
Cooper Flagg has the tenth greatest numbers general (15.0) and he’s considered one of solely three freshman to position within the high 10.
The opposite two are Anthony Davis in 2012 (16.7) and Zion Williamson in 2019 (18.7).
Additionally on the checklist are Stephen Curry in 2008 as a sophomore (15.5) and extra just lately Zach Edey in 2024 as a senior (15.5).
Cooper Flagg’s journey to the NBA has been a very long time within the making, with {the teenager} impressing at each stage on the best way.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer spoke earlier this 12 months to elucidate how he first turned conscious of Cooper Flagg, thanking former NBA participant Brian Scalabrine for the tip-off.
He defined: “I heard about Cooper at a extremely younger age. Scalabrine was the primary particular person to make me conscious of principally this can be a no-brainer.
“I responded instantly. Then simply adopted his development. He was solely 14 years previous on the time.
After which I keep in mind watching him for the primary time in particular person when he was 15 within the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, and I keep in mind watching him and saying, Scal was proper. It took me about 90 seconds. From there, it was all out.”
Now Flagg is destined for the NBA, seemingly with the Dallas Mavericks, the place he’ll crew up with former elite prospect Anthony Davis. It’s an thrilling pairing with two of one of the best school gamers in years set to get the possibility to play collectively.
