NBA

Cooper Flagg meets Michael Jordan and calls him his GOAT without hesitation

Cooper Flagg lives his Jordan moment

Francis Perez
September 30, 2025
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Cooper Flagg hasn’t played a single NBA minute yet, but he’s already experienced something most players wait years for: meeting Michael Jordan face to face. The encounter happened during the Ryder Cup, far from the spotlight of basketball, in a relaxed setting. Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft and the new face of the Dallas Mavericks. Crossed paths with “His Airness” on the golf course and didn’t hesitate to call the experience “incredible.”

In an interview with Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, the 18-year-old admitted it was his first direct interaction with Michael Jordan and made it clear that, for him, the legend remains the greatest of all time. “He’s the GOAT,” Flagg said confidently, as reported by TheSportsRush. Although the moment was short, Cooper Flagg was respectful of the icon’s personal space, knowing Jordan was enjoying his downtime. “I just wanted to say hi and thank him for taking a moment to introduce himself,” he added.

Generations collide

This generational crossover struck a chord with fans and carried symbolic weight. Cooper Flagg, who made waves during his lone season at Duke, now joins a franchise in transition after Luka Doncic’s departure. He’ll share the locker room with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II—an intriguing mix of veteran presence, young talent, and renewed ambition for the Mavericks.

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The image of Cooper Flagg greeting Michael Jordan is more than just a cool snapshot. For many, it represents a passing of the torch and the beginning of a new NBA narrative. The rookie carries not only athletic expectations but also the pressure of ushering in a new era. His official debut is set for October 22 against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs—another rookie entering the league with sky-high hype.

A golden encounter

In the meantime, Cooper Flagg continues collecting moments that build character. Meeting Michael Jordan won’t earn him points on the scoreboard, but it connects him to the legacy he hopes to shape. In the NBA, legacy matters just as much as talent. That simple handshake might be the first chapter in something far bigger.

Cooper Flagg hasn’t hit his first three-pointer yet, but he’s already scored a moment worth gold: looking the GOAT in the eye and saying, “Thank you.”