Cooper Flagg’s rapid rise in his second NBA season has put him in a place most young players only dream about. After taking Rookie of the Year honors in 2025-26, the Dallas forward has opened 2026-27 looking every bit like an All-NBA candidate, averaging 26.8 points, 6.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds across his first five games.
But while Flagg’s game has been drawing praise, a former Mavericks player stirred up backlash with comments about whether a white player can be the face of the league.
Charlie Villanueva, who played in the NBA from 2005-16 and had a late stint with Dallas, made the remark while appearing on the “To The Baha” podcast with Thoe Pinson and other former NBA players.
“ This might sound crazy, but I don’t think in 2026 a white dude could be - I’m gonna be real - could be the face of the league, if I’m being honest,” Villanueva said.“Because it's a Black league, right?”
The conversation kept going, and Villanueva stood by the point. He later said, “When is the last time we’ve seen a white man be the face of the league?
Don’t say Larry Bird, they had to pair him up with Magic,” Villanueva said. “When was the last time a white man was single-handedly the best player in the league?”
Villanueva also addressed the reaction on his own social media account, where he said the NBA is “70 to 75 percent Black.”
“I see the comments BUT I still don't think some of y'all understand what I'm trying to say,” Villanueva captioned his past. “And for the record, Cooper Flagg is HIM, wanna my favorite players!”
In Other News...
Gophers Opened With A Rout Despite One Early Concern
Minnesotas season opener looked every bit like the kind of clean start a coach wants on the scoreboard, with the Gophers rolling past North Dakota 85-50 behind a balanced offensive effort. Bobby Durkin set the tone with 16 points and four 3-pointers, while Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma and Malick Kordel all joined him in double figures, giving the Gophers plenty of early signs that the scoring load can be spread around.
Still, the opener came with an undercurrent worth watching. Minnesota took the floor without three players, and the reasons behind those absences leave a few roster questions hanging as the season gets underway. The win was convincing enough to quiet any immediate concerns on the court, but the availability picture is something the Gophers will have to sort through quickly if they want this kind of depth to hold up. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Open Medveds Second Season With An Encouraging Early Sign
The first night of Niko Medveds second season on the Minnesota bench brought the kind of start coaches love to see: a lopsided 85-50 win over North Dakota that looked comfortable from the opening stretch. The Gophers shot well, controlled the game on both ends and put together a balanced effort with five players finishing in double figures, a sign that the offense had more than one reliable source right away.
Bobby Durkin paced Minnesota with 16 points, but the bigger takeaway was how many pieces fit together in the opener. For a program trying to build momentum under Medved, a 38-point margin is more than just a clean result against a nonconference opponent, it is the kind of early evidence that the rosters depth and structure may be ahead of schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Opened The Season Looking Better Than Anyone Expected
Minnesotas season opener offered an early glimpse of a team that looked sharper and more connected than expected, rolling past North Dakota 85-50 behind a balanced effort and a defense that set the tone from the start. Bobby Durkin provided the biggest scoring punch, giving the Gophers a reliable perimeter threat while the rest of the group helped turn the night into a comfortable first step.
The more encouraging part for Minnesota may have been how little room it gave North Dakota to breathe. The Gophers were disruptive on that end all night, forcing tough looks and keeping the visitors out of rhythm from deep, the kind of defensive start that can travel once the schedule gets tougher. If this opener is any indication, Minnesota may have more early-season substance than the outside expectations suggested. [Read more 🡒]