Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old basketball prodigy and newly minted No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, is already making headlines off the court – and not the kind his new team expected.
While attending a recent WNBA matchup between the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings, Flagg stirred controversy with a seemingly innocent answer about his favorite WNBA player.
When asked during the game which player he admired most, Flagg singled out Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. While his support for a local Dallas star was appreciated by some, his omission of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers-two of the biggest names in women’s basketball-sparked immediate backlash online.
Clark, a standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, has been instrumental in elevating WNBA viewership and fan engagement. Bueckers, still at UConn but already a household name, is expected to be a future WNBA icon. Fans viewed Flagg‘s decision not to mention either as a major snub, especially given the cultural and athletic impact both players have had on the game.
Social media weighs in on Flagg’s comment
Fans on social media wasted no time reacting. Some applauded Flagg for going with a less obvious and locally relevant choice, while others accused him of being tone-deaf or trying too hard to be different. With his profile rising rapidly, every word from the Mavericks’ new franchise player is under intense scrutiny.
Though it’s unlikely that Flagg intended any disrespect, his response became a crash course in the power of public perception. In the era of viral moments and instant reactions, even a simple courtside comment can trigger national debates.
As he prepares for his NBA debut, Cooper Flagg is learning that superstardom comes with a spotlight that never turns off-even in the stands.
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