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Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Reacts to Surprise Involving Division-I Recruit, Brother Ace Flagg

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 2:50 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks made Duke Blue Devils point forward Cooper Flagg the number one pick in the 2025 NBA draft earlier this month, giving general manager Nico Harrison and his front office a bona fide potential superstar to pair with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and a roster of young, hungry players.

Flagg is expected to replace the playmaking of departed superstar Luka Doncic, a tall order for a player who appears capable of handling the challenge.

On Thursday, the NBA shared a video of Flagg reacting to a draft night surprise involving his brother Ace, shedding light on how the two brothers pushed each other to become the players they are today.

Flagg was surprised with a photo of his fraternal twin brother Ace Flagg on draft night and it brought back a flood of memories for the former Duke star.

The video was captured and shared by NBA.com on X Thursday as the brothers shared their thoughts on their upbringing together.

Ace Flagg was seen laughing about the photo upon first seeing it while Cooper Flagg shared information. He said the photo shown was from a middle school travel team while Ace Flagg guessed the photo was when the boys were in the 11-12 year-old range.

"It's been a huge part of our relationship, beating each other up in the driveway playing 1-on-1, that's how we've been our whole life, so that's taken us all across the country together so I'm really grateful,' Cooper Flagg said.

"So you guys have always been winners?" Ace Flagg was asked.

"Oh yeah, always. Always," Ace added on draft night, which took place several months before his expected Division-I debut with the Maine Black Bears.

"My shorts are too low, terrible drip... we won though!"

On Draft Night we surprised Cooper & Ace Flagg with a childhood photo pic.twitter.com/MVncLV7Zt9
— NBA (@NBA) July 3, 2025