FORT WORTH — The newest member of the Dallas Mavericks entered the gymnasium at Fort Worth Country Day School and a horde of children turned his name into a chant.
“Coo-per Flagg! Coo-per Flagg! Coo-per Flagg!” they shouted.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA draft was the special guest for Tuesday’s edition of Mavs Academy Hoop Camp, a longstanding summer basketball camp series that has featured several Mavericks players.
Flagg signed autographs and posed for photos with the young campers, participated in a Q&A session and played several games of knockout during his one-hour appearance. He concluded his time at the private school with an interview session with local reporters.
Growing up in Newport, Maine, there wasn’t an abundance of NBA players around, but the Mavericks rookie attended several camps hosted by former Boston Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine. Flagg said he wanted to bring joy to the faces of the campers and encourage them to work hard.
“It’s cool. This is what I’ve always wanted to do,” Flagg said. “I remember looking up idolizing the local high school players at my old school in Maine. It’s cool to be on the other side and see smiles across their faces and bring some joy.”
Flagg was asked mostly about his versatility playing style, fit with the Mavericks and how he’ll measure up to the steep expectations of a No. 1 pick during his introductory press conference on Friday afternoon. On Tuesday, he got a chance to reflect on his short time being in Dallas since he was drafted.
Flagg attended last week’s highly anticipated matchup between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever and witnessed newly-minted WNBA All-Star and fellow No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers score 27 points on Friday. He watched the game in a private suite and spent time with Kyrie Irving, Brandon Williams and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
He’s looking forward to getting on the court with his new teammates, and possibly even the green.
“It’s been great,” Flagg said. “Everybody seems really cool. There’s a few golfers on the team. I’m excited to play some golf and get to know them more.”
Flagg also elaborated on a little known fact that he grew up harvesting peas. The parents of one of his former teammates owned a farm and Flagg used it as an opportunity to bond with his friends.
“It was the summer. I was trying to make some spare change,” Flagg said. “Most of my friends would go work at the farms so we would all go down and pick peas to make a little money. It helps with the work ethic. It helps teach you early about having a job. That was always fun to make a little money and hang out with your friends.”
Flagg won’t have to worry about making a “little money” anymore now that he’s set to enter his rookie season in the NBA, fulfilling a lifelong dream. It’s a dream he spent part of his Tuesday afternoon sharing with the large group of campers.
“It was ton of fun,” Flagg said. “I love working with kids and getting in the gym — I was them not too long ago, so it’s fun to see the next generation.”
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