Cooper Flagg says he doesn't model his game after anyone but would love to have Curry's shotmaking originally appeared on Basketball Network .
This year's NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory — and not just because of the talent on the board. The Dallas Mavericks pulled off the near-impossible by landing the No. 1 overall pick despite having slim to none chances of getting there (1.8%) and now they hold the keys to a potentially franchise-shifting decision.
And at the center of that conversation is Cooper Flagg , a 6'9" phenom with the skillset, motor and feel for the game that screams generational.
The spotlight has followed Flagg for years now. From dominating the high school scene in Maine to lighting it up on the AAU circuit and eventually showing out as a freshman at Duke, he's been on a steady climb toward this moment. His all-around game made him a force in college — rebounding, shot-blocking, playmaking, defending, scoring — he showed he got all of it and he got plenty of it.
And while many rising stars love to draw comparisons or throw out a list of NBA idols they try to imitate, Flagg took a different route.
"Definitely, Steph. Steph's jump shot. That's a pretty easy answer," the Duke phenom said when asked about which skill he would add to his growing arsenal.
Hard to argue with that. Borrowing the deadliest weapon from the best shooter in league history makes sense. But even then, Cooper made it clear: he's not out here copying anyone.
"I like watching KD, Tatum… different guys, offensively. But I don't really say I like to model or try to take things from anybody," the youngster added.
That confidence — and clarity of self — is part of what makes Flagg such a rare breed. He knows who he is and, more importantly, who he's not trying to be. While others might shape their games around current or former stars, Flagg is focused on carving out his own identity. And when you watch him play, that individuality pops off the screen.
Flagg has been labeled a can't-miss prospect by just about every major scout, analyst and front-office exec who's watched him up close. He's got the frame, the athleticism, the skill, and most importantly, the edge. Flagg competes with a fire that doesn't fade, and it's why so many believe he's going to be the real deal at the next level.
"He isn't quite at the Victor Wembanyama level of prospect over the last 20 years, but he belongs in the Anthony Davis tier," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote about the Maine Event. "Barring injury, he's about as can't-miss as it gets."
Now it's Dallas that holds all the cards. With Anthony Davis in the fold and Kyrie Irving , although injured, still running the show, the Mavericks are looking to build a new foundation — one built on defense, versatility and long-term upside. Flagg fits that mold to a tee. Whether they plug him in right away or ease him into the spotlight, the path is there for him to thrive.
Of course, we'll have to wait until Draft Night, June 26th, in Brooklyn , New York, to see if anything unexpected goes down. But if the Mavericks don't make another silly decision and take Cooper first overall, they won't just be adding another top pick. They'll be building around a new identity and betting on a future that looks very bright.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
