Who Is Cooper Flagg? The Mavericks’ Young Star Explained

Cooper Flagg is the young star the Dallas Mavericks are building around. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, won Rookie of the Year in his first season, and at 19 years old he is already the face of the franchise. Here is everything you need to know about him, from his small-town start in Maine to his record-breaking rookie year.

Cooper Flagg at a Glance

• Full name: Cooper Flagg
• Born: December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine
• Age: 19
• Team: Dallas Mavericks
• Jersey number: 32
• Position: Forward
• College: Duke University (one season, 2024–25)
• Draft: No. 1 overall pick, 2025 NBA Draft
• Biggest honor so far: NBA Rookie of the Year, 2026

From a Small Town in Maine to the Top of High School Basketball

Flagg grew up in Newport, Maine, a town of only a few thousand people. Basketball runs in his family. His mother, Kelly, played college basketball at the University of Maine, his father, Ralph, played junior college ball, and his twin brother is named Ace.

He started high school at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport and led the team to a state title. Then he moved to Montverde Academy in Florida, one of the best high school basketball programs in the country. There he won a national championship on a team that went 33-0, earned McDonald’s All-American honors, and was named the national high school player of the year.

By the time he finished high school, Flagg was ranked as the top recruit in the 2024 class, and just about every big college program wanted him.

One Season at Duke

Flagg played a single season at Duke in 2024–25, and he made it count. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, won national player of the year and ACC Player of the Year, and led the Blue Devils to the Final Four.

He did it all as a 17- and 18-year-old playing against older college players, which is a big reason scouts saw him as a sure thing for the NBA.

The No. 1 Pick and a Rookie of the Year Season

The Dallas Mavericks picked Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, making him the first player from Maine ever taken No. 1. He started all 70 games he played as a rookie and averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.

He won Rookie of the Year with 56 of 100 first-place votes, beating his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, who got the other 44. Flagg became only the third Maverick ever to win the award, after Jason Kidd and Luka Doncic.

He also joined rare company: he was just the third rookie in the last 45 years to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, alongside Michael Jordan and Doncic. He was the only player in the whole league to lead his own team in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

The 51-Point Night

Flagg’s best game as a rookie came against the Orlando Magic on April 3, when he scored 51 points in 33 minutes. At 19 years and 103 days old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game. He finished his rookie year with four 40-point games, the most by a rookie since Allen Iverson in 1996–97.

All of that came while Dallas finished 26-56 in a rebuilding season, which tells you how much of the load he carried as a teenager.

Year Two: A Bigger Role and a Viral Sandwich

Flagg opened the 2026–27 season with a game-high 32 points in a loss at Houston, and through his first six games he was averaging 25.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. He has scored at least 26 points four times in that stretch, including two games of more than 30 points against Houston.

He also showed up to his second training camp bigger, at 225 pounds after being listed at 220 as a rookie. The added size is part of his plan to handle a larger role on offense, and the NBA even gave him a nickname early on: “Flight Flagg.”

In early November he went viral for a lighter reason. During a Mavericks game, cameras caught him eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the bench, and he later explained it himself in an interview with ESPN. It was a small, funny moment, but it showed how closely fans now watch everything he does.

The Mavericks have also changed around him. Masai Ujiri took over as president of basketball operations in May, Dusty May came in as head coach, and Kyrie Irving returned to camp after tearing his ACL 18 months earlier. Flagg and Irving have still never played a regular-season game together, so that pairing is one of the things Dallas fans are waiting to see.

What Makes Cooper Flagg Special

Flagg is not just a scorer. At 6-foot-9 he can guard several positions, rebound, pass, and run the offense, which is why the Mavericks have used him at point guard in big lineups. His feel for the game is what stands out most: he makes the right play, he competes on defense, and he does not shy away from big moments.

He is still only 19, and the usual story for a player this young is that the best is still years away. For now, though, he is already the Mavericks’ best player, their top scorer, and the reason fans have something to look forward to while the team rebuilds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Cooper Flagg?

He was born on December 21, 2006, so he is 19 years old.

What team does Cooper Flagg play for?

The Dallas Mavericks. He wears No. 32 and plays forward.

Was Cooper Flagg the No. 1 draft pick?

Yes. Dallas selected him first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after one season at Duke.

Did Cooper Flagg win Rookie of the Year?

Yes. He won the 2025–26 Rookie of the Year award, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

Where is Cooper Flagg from?

Newport, Maine. He is the first player from Maine ever taken first overall in the NBA Draft.

How many points did Cooper Flagg score in his best game?

51 points against the Orlando Magic on April 3, making him the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 in a game.