Cooper Flagg

Shaq compares Cooper Flagg to Dirk Nowitzki

Published

June 19, 2025

Cooper Flagg takes a shot at the Draft combine

May 13, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg has been the topic of discussion since he joined the Duke Blue Devils. His averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, only helped to raise interest in his value.

All anyone could talk about was what NBA team would be lucky enough to get the first pick in the NBA Draft, once Flagg announced he was leaving college.

Related: Mavs to have private meeting with Cooper Flagg ahead of NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks ended up being that lucky team, as they’ve won the Draft lottery. Now, since their pick is already set in stone, former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal made an interesting comparison between a Mavs legend and Flagg.

“He’s a great all-around player. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but a little baby Dirk [Nowitzki]? Could be. When Dirk came in, Dirk was raw like that. He just worked on his game and trained and got on the trails and got with management, and became a great player,” Shaq said.

Will Cooper Flagg become the next Dirk Nowitzki? This is unlikely, as there’s only one Dirk. Flagg will be his own player, but the question really is, can he lead the Mavericks to a championship like Dirk?

About the Author Published Jun 19, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1