In Las Vegas, Nevada, the NBA Summer League is underway, featuring several spectacular matchups that feel less like offseason exhibitions and more like early playoff contests. Among the competing teams, the Dallas Mavericks have recorded two wins and three losses. A clear bright spot, however, has been the promising performance of rookie Cooper Flagg.
Flagg enters the upcoming season under intense pressure, having been selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He joins one of the most talent-rich rosters in the league, with veterans like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson commanding the spotlight. To carve out his place, Flagg will need to show he can compete at the highest level and bring real value to the Mavericks’ title aspirations.
Despite the pressure, several teammates have already acknowledged Flagg’s potential, with some believing he could become not only one of the best on the team, but perhaps one of the league’s future stars. One of those teammates, Naji Marshall, shared his thoughts on what Flagg showed during the Summer League.
Inside the Summer League: what his teammate is saying about Cooper Flagg
Even thought that the Summer League is intended for each franchise to place new players, and a opportunity for the younglings to show their full potential, the level of the competition is pretty high. That is why some of the most veteran players has come to check the new talent and who is going to be their new teammate in the team.
That is the case of the Wing of the Dallas Mavericks, Naji Marshall, who has checked the development of his squad during the off-season tournament. There he watched the performance of Flagg and shared his opinion of the new player of the Texan side.
His insights were shared on the X account of reporter Mike Curtis, where the 28-year-old Mavericks wing spoke about his excitement to play alongside Cooper Flagg. “It was fun. I haven’t seen some of those guys in a minute. Cooper’s great, man. It’s a lot of pressure being the No. 1 pick. I think he got the jitters out. In the second game, he came back with 30. I’m excited to play with Coop and just look forward to his progression,” he said.
The performance of Cooper Flagg during the Summer League.
Cooper Flagg needed just two games to showcase his potential and make a strong first impression with the Mavericks. Although he struggled in his debut-shooting just 5-for-21 against the Los Angeles Lakers, he bounced back impressively in the next matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, dropping 31 points in 31 minutes.
His standout performance in the Summer League earned him the Wooden Award, signaling that Flagg is no longer just a promising prospect, he’s a rising star already making an impact. With the Mavericks aiming for a deep postseason run, Flagg will need to keep working hard to earn his role and prove he belongs among the league’s elite.
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