Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Forget Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks have signed an undrafted gem who just stole the show at Summer League

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Cooper Flagg was the star attraction at Summer League. The number one pick was overshadowed by one of his teammates.

All eyes were on the number one pick of the NBA Draft as the Dallas Mavericks began their Summer League campaign.

Cooper Flagg improbably landed with the Mavericks after they won the Draft Lottery, placing him with a team trying to ‘win now’. It was one of the best landing spots for a first overall pick for many years.

Flagg has been described as an elite talent who has already re-energized the beleaguered Mavericks front office ahead of the 2025-26 season.

But on his Summer League debut, another Dallas Mavericks rookie stepped up and stole the show.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Ryan Nembhard stars

Undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard showed what he was capable of with an impressive performance to lead the Mavericks to a 87-85 win over the LA Lakers.

Nembhard scored 21 points, outscoring Cooper Flagg, who had a moderate 10 point game in Vegas.

Cooper Flagg shot poorly, sinking just 5 of 21 field goal attempts and 0 from 5 attempts from three.

Nembhard was far more efficient, leading the Mavs in scoring with 8 for 14 field attempts, and a team-high 5 assists.

Ryan Nembhard showed out in his first #NBA2KSummerLeague game

▪️ 21 PTS
▪️ 5 AST
▪️ Go-ahead 3 in DAL win pic.twitter.com/O8xRofJXjx
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2025

Ryan Nembhard lives up to the hype

Ryan Nembhard looks like another steal, with the Mavericks causing a stir by landing him as an undrafted rookie.

NBA analyst Bill Simmons called for a rule change and extra draft rounds to be added, expressing his disbelief that Nembhard was not drafted at all.

Mavericks stakeholder Mark Cuban responded with his view, adding: “Ryan was a huge get for us.”

His Summer League debut showed why. And while Cooper Flagg will be just fine, and prove to be worth the number one overall selection, it’s very promising for Dallas to have a second impact-maker in the mix too.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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