Apr 4, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

'I Think He Got the Jitters Out' – Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Draws Honest Evaluation From Veteran Teammate

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 10:22 AM ET

Naji Marshall is convinced that the Dallas Mavericks struck gold with Cooper Flagg. And after watching two Summer League games, the five-year journeyman can’t wait to share the NBA court with him soon.

“It was fun. I haven’t seen some of those guys in a minute. Cooper’s great, man. It’s a lot of pressure being the No. 1 pick…I think he got the jitters out. In the second game, he came back with 30. I’m excited to play with Coop & just look forward to his progression,” Marshall said about Flagg via Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.

In his Summer League debut, Flagg recorded 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 32 minutes for the Dallas Mavericks in an 87-85 win against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Duke Blue Devil followed it up with a 31-point performance against Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs before the Dallas Mavericks officially shut him down for the rest of the tournament.

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) controls the ball against Houston Cougars forward J’Wan Roberts (13) during the second half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“I think I’ve been solid. I’m exhausted,” Flagg said after his final Summer League match via Kelly Iko and Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “I’m not used to bringing the ball up like that. Had somebody on my hip every time I brought the ball up the court 94 feet. I think I did a solid job of bringing it up against pressure and setting up different actions.”

Dallas Mavericks News: Cooper Flagg draws positive review from NFL superstar

Patrick Mahomes has been a massive Dallas Mavericks fan. And to this day, the NFL superstar couldn’t believe how the Dallas Mavericks got the top overall pick in this year’s draft to select Cooper Flagg.

Duke Blue Devils: Cooper Flagg Shocks Everyone with Big 2025 NBA Draft Announcement 2 Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a call following a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“I was actually at home when the Dončić trade happened in bed, like I’m sure a lot of people were, and I remember rolling over and waking my wife up to tell her, like she cared as much as I did,” Mahomes said via For The Win’s Cory Woodroof.

“It is exciting for me to win the draft lottery, a roller coaster of emotions, and getting Cooper Flagg now, it’s going to be an amazing team. Get everybody back healthy, and we’ll have as good a chance as anybody at making a run at the title this next year,” he added.