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Hand-off. Two dribbles downhill. The area around the free-throw line was wide open. The latest No. 1 draft pick stopped, popped, and hit. His mid-range jumper was smooth - he looked like he had done it a million times. But this was Cooper Flagg’s first NBA bucket, igniting an exciting, electrifying, and extraordinary career.
His rookie effort earned him the Rookie of the Year accolade, after he edged his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel in voting. The race proved tighter than expected, as the sharpshooter from Charlotte shattered multiple three-point records. But Flagg’s late-season surge sealed it - he erupted for 51, 45, and 33 points in April, averaging 29.2 points per game for the month.
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t make the playoffs, so Flagg’s inaugural campaign has concluded. But he did it all for Dallas this year - at six-foot-nine, he was running the point, posting up smaller defenders, knocking down triples, dishing out assists, and making his presence felt on defense.
He finished averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field and 29.5% from beyond the arc. After taking home the ROY hardware, he landed praise from the Mavericks franchise legend and one of the best players to ever play in the NBA - Dirk Nowitzki.
"Started at point guard at 6’9, something he’s never done. To me, he’s had an incredible year. He led the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. There are only two other rookies who have ever done it. So, he had some historic numbers as a teenager, that’s the crazy thing, he’s only 19," said Nowitzki.
"Well deserved, Cooper, we’re proud of you."
