Dusty May didn’t take long to make clear what he thinks of Cooper Flagg.
After being introduced Monday as the Dallas Mavericks’ new head coach, the former Michigan boss singled out the former Duke star with high praise, calling him “A superstar who plays hard, cares about his teammates and is incredibly unselfish, those things aren't that common, according to people around the league,'” May said, via Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.
That’s the kind of endorsement that lands differently when it comes from a new coach walking into a roster built around young talent and big expectations. And Flagg has already given Dallas plenty to like.
In his lone season at Duke, the Maine native averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. His biggest night came against Notre Dame on January 11, 2025, when he put up 42 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The Mavericks’ Duke connection doesn’t stop with Flagg, either. Dallas also has Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, giving Blue Devils fans a trio to track every night.
Flagg’s first NBA season with the Mavericks was strong enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors. The NBA announced in April that he had won the 2025-26 award, making him the latest former Duke player to take that prize after Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.
Over 70 games, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field, 29.5% from 3-point range and 82.7% from the free-throw line.
During his Rookie of the Year speech, Flagg made sure to spread the credit around.
“Obviously, thank you to my teammates, the ones that are here and the ones who aren't. I wouldn't have been able to do it without them,” Flagg said.
“Coaches, Coach Kidd, the rest of the staff, just thank you to them. It's an incredible recognition, and it means a ton.”
Now Flagg and Irving are set to debut as a duo next season, a pairing that already has Duke and basketball fans watching closely.
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