Dallas Mavericks' Top Draft Pick, Cooper Flagg, Shines in Summer League

Cooper Flagg is an American basketball prodigy widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the sport today. Born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, Flagg grew up in a basketball-centric family—his mother was a standout college player and later a high school coach, and his father played at the community college level[2]. He began playing basketball as a toddler and quickly distinguished himself with both his physical gifts (reaching over six feet tall by sixth grade) and his advanced understanding of the game[2]. Flagg’s high school career began at Nokomis Regional High School in Maine, where he led his team to a state championship as a freshman and became the first freshman in state history to be named Gatorade Player of the Year[2][4]. Seeking greater competition, he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, a school known for producing NBA talent. At Montverde, Flagg reclassified to graduate a year early, and in his senior year (2023–24), he led the team to a perfect 34–0 record and a national championship[4]. That season, he was named McDonald’s All-American, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Mr. Basketball USA, establishing himself as the top recruit in the 2024 class[4][7]. Internationally, Flagg represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, earning a gold medal and MVP honors, and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year—the youngest ever to receive that honor[4][7]. He also participated in prestigious all-star games such as the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit[7]. Flagg committed to Duke University in October 2023 and enrolled in the summer of 2024[4]. Even before stepping onto campus, he broke new ground in college basketball by signing a shoe deal with New Balance and becoming the first men’s college player sponsored by Gatorade[4][7]. As a freshman at Duke, Flagg quickly made an impact with several standout performances, including a 42-point game at Cameron Indoor Stadium—tying for third-most points by a Duke player on their home court—and a 20-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist game against North Carolina[6]. He was named AP Men’s Player of the Year and won the Wooden Award, becoming only the fourth freshman to do so[7]. As of October 2025, Flagg is 18 years old and remains a central figure in college basketball, with his professional future highly anticipated. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ has made him a focal point for fans, analysts, and scouts, and his early achievements suggest a trajectory that could reshape the next generation of the sport[2][4][7].

Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player born on February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He began his basketball career at a young age, joining the Real Madrid youth academy in 2012. Dončić quickly rose through the ranks, making his senior team debut for Real Madrid in 2015 as the youngest player in the club's history. Over six years with Real Madrid, he played 216 matches and won seven titles, including the EuroLeague championship in 2018. That season, he earned the EuroLeague MVP, Final Four MVP, and ACB League MVP honors, a rare achievement marking him as the best player in Europe at 19 years old[1]. In 2018, Dončić declared for the NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He made an immediate impact in the NBA, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6 assists in his rookie season (2018–19). His performance earned him near-unanimous Rookie of the Year honors, receiving 98 of 100 first-place votes. Known for his versatile skill set and basketball IQ, he has been compared to all-time greats like LeBron James and Magic Johnson for his ability to influence the game across multiple facets[2]. As of 2025, Luka Dončić is playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, wearing jersey number 77 and standing 6 feet 8 inches tall. He remains a prominent figure in the NBA due to his scoring ability, playmaking, and leadership on the court. Recent highlights include a notable 43-point performance despite his team’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, underscoring his ongoing relevance and impact in professional basketball[4].