Cooper Flagg: “It all comes down to having fun”
The Dallas Mavericks rookie is focusing on his own game as he shoulders the pressure of being the No. 1 overall draft pick.
It’s easy to over-hype young athletes who show even a spark of something special. But for many of those players, that kind of early attention can become a heavy burden.
Right now, that weight is landing on the shoulders of Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and the anointed savior of the Dallas Mavericks.
At just 18 years old, the Mavericks’ rookie forward is already being called one of the most promising young players in basketball. Fresh off his NBA debut, Flagg arrived in Mexico City for the NBA International Game.
Cooper Flagg became the 2nd player in NBA history at 18 years or younger to record a game with 20+ PTS and 0 TOs in tonight’s win vs. TOR 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2025
The other? Kobe Bryant in 1997 vs. SAC. pic.twitter.com/dissttBtUa
Flagg joins an NBA dominated by international superstars like Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić. When asked about the situation by reporters on Friday, Flagg’s answer was humble and direct.
“I don’t really think about that,” he said. “I’m just trying to be the best version of myself — for me, for my family. I don’t see any divide between American and international players.“
“They’re just guys who love to compete and play hard. I’m focused on moving forward, being myself, and having fun out there. At the end of the day, it’s about competing and trying to win every game I can.”
When asked how he manages to enjoy the game amid the constant scrutiny, Flagg didn’t shy away from the truth.
“It’s about staying grounded and focused,” he said. “You have to block out all the noise — all the people who don’t really know you. You listen to the people in your circle, the ones who care about you and want to see you grow. That’s what keeps you locked in on your goals.”
Flagg is still a teenage, an NBA rookie with only one season of college basketball behind him. He will need time to adjust to his new surroundings, to the the pressure of being labelled as the face of a professional sports franchise. But he has the talent, and appears to possess the mentality needed to live up to that lofty billing.
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