Cooper Flagg under the microscope: doubts about his basketball IQ and ball skills spark debate among fans

Cooper Flagg faces a growing wave of criticism over his limited knowledge of basketball history as he prepares to start his professional career with the Dallas Mavericks.

The 2025 NBA Draft first overall pick is under the microscope after a viral video revealed his struggle to recognize several league legends.

Cooper Flagg in the media storm

The clip, produced in collaboration with Topps, showed Flagg trying to identify players from a 2006 trading card set, the year he was born.

While he correctly named Antoine Walker and Rasual Butler, he blanked on well-known figures like Hedo Turkoglu and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

The video sparked a social media frenzy, with fans questioning his knowledge of basketball history.

Flagg openly admitted his unfamiliarity and also failed to recognize Eric Snow, Antoine Wright, or Rashad McCants.

For some, this was understandable; for others, the lack of familiarity with All-Stars and playoff players was surprising.

Twitter users quickly voiced their shock: “I thought he knew more about basketball than this, how can you not know Hedo 😭?”

Cooper Flagg tries to recognize players from the 2006 NBA… pic.twitter.com/t9av3RdaPd

— Topps (@Topps) October 2, 2025

Promising talent vs. historical knowledge

Despite the criticism, Cooper Flagg remains a top prospect for the Mavericks.

Fans debated the gap between his natural talent and his limited knowledge of NBA history.

Some viewed it as a simple generational oversight, while others questioned his readiness to understand the legacy of the sport he now represents.

Coach Jason Kidd called Flagg “a blessing” for Dallas rebuild, while Dirk Nowitzki praised his potential.

Cooper Flagg, aware of the media attention, has set ambitious goals: winning Rookie of the Year and helping the Mavericks secure a championship.

Although this Topps episode may seem trivial, it highlights the intense scrutiny Cooper Flagg will face as he begins his professional career.

Every move, comment, and decision will be closely watched as the 19-year-old seeks to prove that his on-court talent outweighs any gaps in his knowledge of NBA history.