Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki knows what it takes to become a superstar, and he believes 18-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg is already on the right path.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, the hype was real for sure. I\u2019m not the biggest college sports watcher in general, whether that\u2019s basketball or any sport, but of course I had to check out Cooper and yeah, I mean, the sky\u2019s the limit,\u201d Nowitzki said, via the Mavericks<\/a>. \u201cHonestly, what I saw, just the way he reads the game already at that age of being barely 18\u2026 Athletic, skills, I heard his work ethic is through the roof. So everything that I\u2019ve saw and heard is that, you know, he\u2019s the real deal. The real deal.\u201d<\/p>\n Flagg impressed during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where his versatility, scoring touch, and defensive instincts stood out. For Dallas, his arrival couldn\u2019t come at a better time. After a turbulent 2024-25 season that featured the shocking Luka Doncic trade and a roster hampered by injuries, Flagg represents hope for a fanbase that badly needed it.<\/p>\n When a franchise icon with a statue outside the arena makes such a bold proclamation, it carries weight.<\/p>\n \u201cMavs fans can obviously be very excited for his growth over the next few years,\u201d Nowitzki continued. \u201cBut yeah, like I said, the sky\u2019s the limit. Just the way he can score the ball in multiple ways. He can defend multiple players\u2026 I think he\u2019s super versatile already at a super young age, which is rare. Looking forward to his rookie year and see how he can adjust to the NBA. But yeah, like I said, everything goes well and he keeps working, I think the sky\u2019s the limit.\u201d<\/p>\n With Nowitzki\u2019s stamp of approval, anticipation around Flagg\u2019s rookie season has reached another level. If the teenager lives up to the praise, Dallas may have landed its next cornerstone superstar.<\/p>\n