{"id":145272,"date":"2025-09-15T15:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T15:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/145272\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T15:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T15:48:08","slug":"dirk-nowitzki-praises-real-deal-mavericks-rookie-cooper-flagg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/145272\/","title":{"rendered":"Dirk Nowitzki praises ‘real deal’ Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dirk Nowitzki just held his annual charity tennis event for his foundation, featuring known figures such as Joakim Noah, Steve Nash, and many more. Among those in attendance were the new Dallas Mavericks<\/a> rookie Cooper Flagg, whom Nowitzki texted after the NBA Draft. <\/p>\n

Before the event, Nowitzki was asked to give his opinion of the rookie, and he talked very highly of the 18-year-old from Duke. <\/p>\n

“The hype is real, for sure,” Nowitzki started. “I\u2019m not the biggest college sports watcher in general, whether that is basketball or any sport, but, of course, I had to check out Cooper. Sky is the limit, honestly. What I saw, just the way he reads the game already at that age. Barely 18, athletic, skills. I heard his work ethic is through the roof. Everything I saw and heard is that he is the real deal.”<\/p>\n

Dirk Nowitzki on Cooper Flagg:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hype is real, for sure\u2026The sky\u2019s the limit honestly\u2026Just the way he reads the game already at that age\u2026Athletic, skills, I\u2019ve heard his work ethic is through the roof. Everything that I\u2019ve saw and heard is that he\u2019s the real deal\u2026Just the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/7CUTFn2FMY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Noah Weber (@noahweber00) September 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Flagg enters the NBA as one of the most accomplished 18-year-olds ever, as he is one of four freshmen to ever win the Naismith National Player of the Year award, joining Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson. As long as he stays healthy, history says he should have a pretty good NBA career. <\/p>\n

The rookie will have a lot of pressure on him, though. He’s entering a fanbase that is used to success under Luka Doncic, and after he was traded in February, there is still some tension among fans. They want to win and win now, and with Kyrie Irving sidelined while he recovers from ACL surgery, more responsibility falls on Flagg. <\/p>\n

Dirk Nowitzki and Cooper Flagg greeted each other before the start of the charity tennis event, Nowitzki motioned towards his cheeks and said “How you feeling?” It was a little odd of a gesture, but it made some fans wonder if Flagg recently had wisdom teeth removed or some other procedure. <\/p>\n

Dirk Nowitzki and Cooper Flagg meeting each other for the first time \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

(via @dallasmavs<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/Ki43gBqleT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) September 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Flagg was definitely a little nervous to meet the franchise icon, but Nowitzki has welcomed Flagg to Dallas with open arms, offering any advice he can possibly give. Although Nowitzki isn’t around the franchise as much as he used to be, he’s made it known that he’s only a phone call away at any point. <\/p>\n

Stick with\u00a0MavericksGameday\u00a0for more\u00a0FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>\u00a0throughout the offseason<\/p>\n

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