The Dallas Mavericks’ summer league rookie, Cooper Flagg, showcased his scoring prowess during a thrilling game against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-9, Flagg had a third-straight big game scoring 31 points in a jaw dropping performance. He reaffirmed himself as the secret weapon for the Mavericks.
And in the other corner was Flagg’s fellow No. 1 draft pick — Dylan Harper, No. 2 draft pick. Fans and scouts had circled this dream matchup as a must watch game. With his summer league coach Josh Broghamer’s mentorship, of course, Flagg really shined. He displayed extraordinary technical ability with and without the ball at his feet.
Broghamer praised Flagg’s poise in creating high IQ plays over the stretch of a game. “He just continues to make the right plays,” Broghamer stated, highlighting the rookie’s understanding of the game and his knack for being in the right position at crucial moments.
Flagg didn’t just catch and shoot to score. He took advantage of plenty of time spent at the charity stripe to get his shot flowing with numbers resembling wouldn’t-be teammates. “I think I did that a lot better today, just getting to the line, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfortable and get settled in early,” said Flagg. Despite his success at the line, he acknowledged some struggles with free throws, adding humorously, “Still missed a bunch of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn’t very happy with that.”
Looking back on the entire experience, Flagg mentioned that it was hard to acclimate to a new space. “I think it’s a new environment, new setting,” he explained. His reflections on the lessons of the jump from college to pro-ball show a growing perspective on the learning curve that’s required along with it.
These four moves by the Mavericks to prioritize Flagg’s development in the summer league show their dedication to developing young players. As he matures and evolves, there is no limit to what both Flagg and the Mavericks organization can accomplish together.
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