Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has faced countless legends in his career and guided Team USA through numerous championship runs. However, when he reflects on his experience scrimmaging against Cooper Flagg during a summer session in Las Vegas, his words convey a sense of awe that goes beyond typical analysis.
“I just remember the force you felt,” Kerr shared with ESPN. “You immediately felt him. It was as a basketball player; it wasn’t just like he had a huge dunk. It was the passing, the cutting, the left-handed jump hook when the offense had nothing else; it was so consistent.”
Kerr’s comments, reminiscent of Star Wars imagery, highlight what many in the NBA have recognized in the Dallas Mavericks’ top overall pick, Flagg. At just 18 years old, Flagg carries himself with a poise and precision that seem more akin to a seasoned veteran than a rookie stepping into the professional arena for the first time.
This calm demeanor first became apparent in the summer of 2024 when Flagg, then only 17, was invited to join the USA Basketball Select Team to scrimmage against the Olympic roster. This marked a rare occurrence as it had been more than a decade since an amateur earned such an invitation. Flagg, however, appeared unfazed by the occasion.
“Zero nerves,” Mavericks star Anthony Davis remarked. “He went out and balled.”
Flagg truly impressed during that scrimmage, scoring against multiple All-Defensive players, including Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Bam Adebayo. His standout moments featured a baseline fadeaway, a pull-up three, and a putback and-one that left Team USA veterans exchanging astonished looks.
Before even starting his tenure at Duke, Flagg’s readiness for top-tier competition was clear. His single season in Durham only solidified that perception, as he swept national player of the year honors and led the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
The Mavericks, who defied odds to win the 2025 draft lottery, promptly selected Flagg as their first overall pick. Head coach Jason Kidd began testing the rookie’s versatility right away, utilizing him as a point-forward during training camp and exhibition games.
“He has a talent about winning,” Kidd expressed. “It’s in his DNA, so it would be unfair not to make him uncomfortable.”
Flagg has showcased flashes of brilliance in exhibition games, exhibiting the blend of size, instinct, and court vision that initially caught Kerr’s eye. For a franchise actively seeking its next cornerstone player to accompany Luka Dončić, the Mavericks may have discovered a talent capable of excelling on both ends of the court.
As Kerr’s Jedi comparison suggests, if Flagg continues to channel the same composure and skills that impressed Team USA, Dallas could soon witness a new force emerge to lead their galaxy in the seasons to come.