Cooper Flagg is ready for the NBA and studies Mavericks’ system—even through video games

Cooper Flagg didn’t enter the NBA to sit and learn from the bench. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft landed in Dallas Mavericks. With an attitude that leaves no room for hesitation. And the kid looks ready to compete, contribute, and carry weight from the very start. And he’s proving it—on the court and off.

After a Summer League showing where Cooper Flagg flashed defensive versatility and sharp game-reading instincts, he ramped up his preparation for the regular season. According to Athlon Sports, the young forward has been studying the Mavericks’ offensive system through NBA 2K26 simulations, trying to understand off-ball movement and how to mesh with veterans like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and the still-recovering Kyrie Irving.

Disciplined focus

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd already sees Cooper Flagg as a key part of the rotation. And it’s no surprise. The teenager doesn’t just bring athleticism and skill—he brings a mindset. At 18, Flagg shows a level of maturity rarely seen in players his age. Besides, his focus, discipline, and competitive drive make him a potential impact player right out of the gate.

Besides, the franchise views Cooper Flagg as a long-term investment. But he seems determined to fast-track that timeline. Some analysts have compared his upside to Victor Wembanyama. And the Maine native is making it clear he doesn’t want to be labeled a future star—he wants to be a present one.

“Just being able to be a sponge, those guys have so much knowledge.”

Cooper Flagg on playing with guys like AD, Kyrie, and Klay 🌟 pic.twitter.com/kbKe8CBzZa

— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2025

Flagg is ready to start

Cooper Flagg’s ability to guard multiple positions, read the floor in transition, and do the dirty work makes him a perfect fit alongside the Mavericks’ veteran core. And in a Western Conference that offers no breathing room, having a rookie with a veteran’s mentality could be a game-changer.

Cooper Flagg isn’t waiting to be guided step by step. He’s taking initiative. And in Dallas, where expectations are high and the margin for error is razor-thin, that kind of attitude is valued as much as a buzzer-beating three. The season is just getting started. But the message is already loud and clear. Flagg is ready. Besides, he didn’t come to watch from the bench—he came to start.

 

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Una publicación compartida de Gatorade (@gatorade)