Dallas Mavericks rookie phenom Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 general decide of the 2025 NBA draft, has landed on the quilt of one other version of SLAM Journal.
Cooper Flagg First Appeared On SLAM Journal Cowl In 2023
For the second time, the 6-foot-9 ahead is showing on the quilt of the famend sports activities journal, holding a basketball with the daring caption, “What’s stress?”
In line with Cody Taylor of Yahoo Sports activities, the most recent installment additionally incorporates a specialised “ORANGE METAL” version, made obtainable just for a restricted 48-hour sale window.
Flagg, who turns 19 in December, first appeared on the quilt in December 2023 after committing to Duke College and spent his lone school season there main the Blue Devils to a Last 4 look.
The Mavericks secured Flagg by way of the 2025 NBA draft lottery months after basic manger Nico Harrison shocked the NBA neighborhood by buying and selling away famous person Luka Doncic earlier than February’s commerce deadline.
Flagg Received A number of NCAA Awards At Duke
Previously ranked as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked prospect within the Class of 2024, the native of Newport, Maine, enters the NBA as probably the most hyped prospects since LeBron James.
In 37 video games (all begins) at Duke in his freshman 2024-25 season, he averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 30.7 minutes per contest whereas taking pictures 48.1% from the sphere and 38.5% from deep.
Flagg acquired a number of awards within the NCAA, together with ACC Participant of the 12 months and Freshman of the 12 months honors. He additionally gained the Picket and Naismith Awards for Participant of the 12 months, in addition to acquired a consensus first-team All-American choice.
“For me, it’s nearly loving to win and embracing the competitors. I’ve all the time needed to win greater than anything. All of it stems from there,” Flagg mentioned in an interview with the journal.
Mavericks Shut Down Cooper Flagg Early In NBA Summer season League
Flagg and the Mavericks will open their 2025-26 season in opposition to fellow rookie Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs in an early showdown between the highest two picks on this yr’s draft.
The Mavs opted to close down Flagg within the NBA Summer season League after the rookie star scored 31 factors in a July 12 matchup in opposition to Harper and the Spurs.
Flagg shot 10-for-21 from the ground in a bounce-back efficiency from his summer season league debut in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, when he scored simply 10 factors on 5-of-21 taking pictures.
“I believe it’s a brand new setting, new setting,” Flagg mentioned then after Dallas’ 76-69 loss to San Antonio. “They wish to see me be aggressive and try this kind of stuff.
“I believe I did that so much higher immediately, simply attending to the road, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfy and get settled in early. Nonetheless missed a bunch of free throws. I do know my mother in all probability wasn’t very proud of that.”
Flagg Seems Ahead To Enjoying Alongside NBA Veterans
Mavericks summer season league coach Josh Broghamer mentioned then that Flagg “simply continues to make the fitting performs” and praised the previous Blue Satan for his work “off the ball” in opposition to the Spurs.
“It’s all the time simply been about getting higher throughout. There’s a lot you may work on and get higher at. I simply attempt to get higher throughout, on a regular basis,” Flagg added throughout his interview with SLAM Journal.
“I’m excited to be surrounded by lots of older, skilled guys who’ve had success profitable on the highest stage,” he mentioned about taking part in alongside his new Mavs teammates.
“It’s going to be actually cool to be taught from them, be a sponge and soak all of it as much as be taught so much.”
