As Cooper Flagg officially begins his NBA journey with the Dallas Mavericks, his rise to stardom has reignited the discussion around American-born superstars in the league.
The 18-year-old phenom from Duke was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, bringing with him both lofty expectations and the hopes of fans eager to see a homegrown player reclaim center stage in a league long dominated by international talent.
Flagg’s rare blend of size, defense, and offensive promise drew comparisons to elite NBA defenders almost immediately.
“He reminds a lot of people around the league of a guy like Anthony Davis, because as soon as he comes into this league, you know what you’ll get from him on both sides of the ball,” said NBA insider Shams Charania.
Flagg’s rise prompts unexpected Shedeur Sanders shoutout
While Flagg was rightfully the center of draft night, his name unexpectedly crossed into football circles thanks to an eye-catching online reaction from fans.
Some began playfully comparing his rising fame and marketability to that of Shedeur Sanders, the high-profile Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.
Though Sanders is carving his path in the football world, his popularity and massive NIL brand have turned him into a crossover sports celebrity.
Flagg’s success and his emerging off-court presence has sparked speculation about whether he could become basketball’s answer to Shedeur. Both athletes are redefining what it means to be a collegiate star in the NIL era.
While there’s no indication that Sanders is pursuing basketball, the buzz around his name appearing in NBA conversations speaks volumes about his national visibility. Some fans even joked on social media about Sanders getting drafted into the NBA purely based on clout.
Meanwhile, Flagg’s resume is serious business. In his lone season at Duke, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while leading the team to the Final Four. He also became just the fourth freshman ever to win National Player of the Year honors.
Critics have questioned whether he’ll ever develop into an elite scorer, but others believe his trajectory could mirror players like Kawhi Leonard-a defense-first force who evolved into a top offensive threat.
Off the court, Flagg is already making waves, having signed NIL deals with Gatorade, New Balance, and New Era. He enters the league as both a basketball prodigy and a rising brand.
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