Apr 12, 2024; Camden, NJ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson during the unveiling of the statue honoring him in a ceremony at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NBA Icon Allen Iverson Shows Major Love to Cooper Flagg

Originally posted on Philadelphia 76ers on SI
By Justin Grasso | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 2:50 PM ET

Allen Iverson has always embraced the basketball stars that have come after him. While there are many NBA legends, who tend to downplay the rising stars of today’s generation, Iverson has always been one to take the opposite approach.

The former Philadelphia 76ers guard is simply a fan of the game.

Recently, Iverson briefly linked with former Duke star Cooper Flagg, and the interaction was caught on camera. Iverson shouted out to Flagg from a distance, before wishing the young forward luck ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.

“That’s a bad dude right there!” Iverson said of Flagg. “That’s a bad guy! You alright? You excited? I know that’s right. Good luck and do what you do, man. I love watching you play, man.”

“That’s a bad dude right there.”

- Allen Iverson to Cooper Flagg pic.twitter.com/AOcFpR0I1s
— All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs) June 22, 2025

On Wednesday, the NBA will hold its annual draft. Flagg’s standing in the draft is the same as its been since he made his NCAA debut. The 18-year-old is the consensus No. 1 pick. The worst-kept secret in the pre-draft process is that Flagg will be joining the Dallas Mavericks soon.

Once Flagg’s name gets called on, he’ll join Iverson in being the NBA’s top pick. For Iverson, he went No. 1 out of Georgetown in 1996. Iverson joined the Sixers and played in Philadelphia until 2006. Since then, he played for the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies, before making his way back to Philly for a brief stint in 2009-2010.

Flagg will become the new face of the Mavs, just months after they parted ways with Luka Doncic. While Dallas had low odds to land the top pick in this year’s NBA Draft Lottery, they were extremely fortunate to win the Flagg sweepstakes.