Aug 12, 2023; Springfield, MA, USA; Dirk Nowitzki gives his speech as he is inducted into the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

'I Heard His Work Ethic is Through the Roof' – Dallas Mavericks Legend Calls Cooper Flagg the Real Deal

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 6:54 PM ET

Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki recently called rookie Cooper Flagg the “real deal” during the press conference of his annual tennis event.

“I mean, the hype was real for sure. I’m not the biggest college sports watcher in general, whether that’s basketball or any sport, but of course I had to check out Cooper, and yeah, I mean, the sky’s the limit,” Nowitzki said about Flagg via Noah Weber on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Honestly, what I saw, just the way he reads the game already at that age of being barely 18… Athletic, skills, I heard his work ethic is through the roof. So everything that I’ve seen and heard is that, you know, he’s the real deal. The real deal,” he added.

Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (left) looks on with Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg (right) at a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Flagg also drew similar comments from former NBA journeyman Matt Barnes, as he complimented the Dallas Mavericks forward’s motor and defensive prowess.

Dallas Mavericks News: Klay Thompson organizes “bonding camp” for the team, per insider

Marc Stein of The Stein Line recently revealed that Klay Thompson was the lead organizer of the Dallas Mavericks’ “bonding camp” in Newport Beach. According to Stein, Anthony Davis didn’t participate, as he is recovering from eye surgery.

Mar 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (right) and Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) react on the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

“Interestingly, though, I’ve heard about multiple teams whose players have conducted mini-camps out of town this month … gatherings that are more commonplace in August,” Stein reported. “Among those teams is the Mavericks, who I’m told — at the urging of sharpshooter Klay Thompson — got together for a well-attended bonding camp in Newport Beach in early September.

“Word is Anthony Davis, though he was not able to participate in the on-court activities there as he continues to recover from July eye surgery to repair a detached retina, did host a dinner for his teammates while they were working out in Southern California,” he added.