Cooper Flagg, the highly anticipated first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made his debut in the NBA Summer League for the Dallas Mavericks on July 7, 2023. At 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, Flagg has an imposing NBA frame. An opening statement elastic dunk with his crazy 7-foot wingspan caught the collective eye of fans and analysts alike right away. His performance on the Hill was mixed. What it did do was prominently feature the potential of this up-and-coming 18-year-old footballer from the Philadelphia Union.
That was highlighted by the biggest play of Flagg’s debut—a vicious, highlight-reel dunk that introduced everyone in the arena to his dynamic athleticism. Importantly, he struggled during the game, forcing the issue and shooting an inefficient 5-for-21 from the field. Even with all the challenges, Flagg ended the competition on a high note. If he wasn’t shooting the ball, he was affecting the game in other ways, including a 10-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist performance.
First Impressions Matter
As soon as he hit the court, Flagg’s size was one of the first things people noticed. He’s an imposing figure at 6’8, 220 lbs. His gargantuan physicality is essential for his success in healthy NBA competition. His 7-foot wingspan contributes to his defensive prowess and makes him a great shot-contester.
While Cooper Flagg enters the league, he will most likely be the Mavericks starting sf of the future. In addition to his pure talent, Dupree’s versatility as an inside/edge player would offer so much more flexibility for the decked-out commandos’ lineup. Fans are interested to watch him grow and mature as he adjusts to the rigors of playing basketball at the highest level.
Flagg’s debut performance had his high moments and very clear low moments. More than mourn his loss, it’s equally important to focus on what he did accomplish in the face of adversity. He showed off his stuff, bouncing back to finish with 10 points, including a nasty, highlight-reel dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. This electrifying play was his exhilarating debut on the professional stage. It served to remind everybody of his terrific upside.
Struggles and Highlights
Even though Flagg scored just 10 points in the contest, he did a lot to impact the game. He capped off that stretch with a lot of his shooting touch and offensive creativity on a smooth baseline fadeaway over Dalton Knecht. His shooting percentage suffered as he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the game with a disheartening 5-for-21 from the field.
Though his first half was great, the second proved to be the most difficult for Flagg, as he went scoreless in that latter half of those final quarters. He artfully maintained possession, weaving through multiple defenders who were all full-stretch and committed. Even with those mistakes out a focus, he only had one turnover on the scoreboard. This hidden element of his game is a testament to his calmness in the pocket and decision-making prowess when facing defenders.
Flagg’s defensive instincts were on full display during his debut as well. He illustrated just how dynamic he is by reading the passing lanes with tremendous anticipation. He stole a pass and took it the length of the court for a thunderous tomahawk dunk. This play was a testament to his freakish athleticism. It further affirmed his status as a two-way player capable of making a game-changing impact on both sides of the court.
Looking Towards the Future
As Cooper Flagg grows older and works on his game, the hype train has become otherworldly—albeit for good reason. There’s a very real reason that the Mavericks chose him first overall to begin with. They think he has the upside to be a franchise cornerstone type player for them. His unique combo of size, skill and feel for the game makes him a tantalizing prospect for fans and analysts to gush over.
Flagg showcased his playmaking ability by finding guard Ryan Nembhard for a wide-open three-pointer that ultimately gave the Mavericks the lead for good in their summer league matchup. This sort of selfless passing will be key as he steps into a larger role alongside the team’s other playmakers.
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