Imagine being just 18 years old and already making history in the NBA. That’s exactly what Cooper Flagg is doing, and his latest achievement is nothing short of remarkable. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: Flagg has been named to the Rising Stars team during the NBA All-Star Game weekend, marking yet another milestone in his meteoric rise. This isn’t his first time at the top—just seven months ago, he was selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Draft. Now, he’s leading the pack once again, this time in the Rising Stars draft, announced by the league earlier this week.
Flagg’s team, coached by none other than Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, is a who’s who of the league’s brightest young talent. Joining him are Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), and Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors). Together, they’ll compete in a mini-tournament featuring promising rookies, second-year players, and G-League standouts. And this is the part most people miss: while Flagg didn’t make the All-Star Team as a rookie, his inclusion in the Rising Stars event is a clear sign that he’s on the fast track to stardom.
The mini-tournament, set for February 13 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, will also feature teams coached by Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, with Peacock analyst Austin Rivers leading the G-League squad. Rookies Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) will captain McGrady and Carter’s teams, respectively, adding even more excitement to the event.
Flagg’s stats speak for themselves. In his first few months as a pro, he’s averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. According to Mavericks PR, he’s the only rookie this season to rank in the top 5 across those categories. But here’s the controversial part: is Flagg’s early success a sign of sustained greatness, or is he peaking too soon? His 42-point performance against the Utah Jazz in December—making him the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points—certainly suggests the former. Yet, some argue that the pressure of such early achievements could be a double-edged sword.
As Flagg prepares to take center stage in Los Angeles, one thing is clear: his journey is just beginning. What do you think? Is Cooper Flagg the next big thing in the NBA, or is it too early to crown him? Let us know in the comments!
