Cooper Flagg is already beating Kobe at 18 but still trails LeBron

Every so often, the NBA welcomes a rookie who experts believe could be the next face of the league. From legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Grant Hill to modern names like Derrick Rose, Ben Simmons, Zion Williamson, and Victor Wembanyama, debates about who might eventually inherit the throne are never far away.

Generation after generation brings players with that special spark, and this season is no exception: Cooper Flagg.

The No. 1 pick in the latest draft, the Duke alum has grabbed global attention thanks to the hype surrounding his young career. While the reality has slightly lagged behind expectations, Flagg has still managed to surpass a major milestone: after just one month in the NBA, he has already outpaced Kobe Bryant at the same age.

Just over 18 and already making history

Unlike the “Black Mamba,” the Dallas forward spent at least one year in college, meaning he had less time to hit milestones before turning 18 in the NBA.

When Kobe debuted in the league on November 3, 1996, he had just turned 18 that August. That gave him nearly an entire season to set records as an 18-year-old. Bryant managed four games of 20 points or more in his rookie year. Flagg, in contrast, has already recorded five such games in just one month as a professional.

After Dallas’ recent win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Flagg reached five games with 20 or more points, giving fans a glimpse of stats that, at least numerically, look better than what Bryant accomplished at the same age. Still, despite surpassing Kobe in this specific metric, Flagg remains far behind LeBron James.

Still chasing the King

The circumstances for Flagg and LeBron were nearly identical. Both debuted at 18, and both celebrate birthdays in December (Flagg on the 21st, James on the 30th). The difference, however, is significant: LeBron had already recorded 14 games of 20 points before turning 19. For the Mavericks rookie, matching that pace is no small challenge.

Flagg has less than a month to close the gap and catch a player who effectively inherited Michael Jordan’s mantle. It’s a long shot, but if Flagg pulls off something similar, it would be a historic start. For now, the race is close enough to keep fans watching, but with Kobe already behind him, the drive to chase LeBron might just be stronger.

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