DALLAS — Cooper Flagg is mindful that the Dallas Mavericks sit outside of the play-in tournament, but his invitation to the Rising Stars challenge during next month’s NBA All-Star Weekend is a reminder that his production on the court is leading to results.
The Mavericks rookie talked about his latest honor after Tuesday’s practice at American Airlines Center, which was a change of scenery for the team since the parking lot of their nearby practice facility was covered in ice and snow.
“It means a lot. I feel blessed,” Flagg said. “It’s kind of an outcome of all the hard work I’ve put in. Obviously, the start of the season and the way things have gone, we wish they would’ve gone better, but everything happens for a reason. I feel really blessed and honored.”
Flagg is one of 10 rookies that will attend the annual showcase between the league’s premier young talent, which also includes 11 sophomores and seven G League players.
Flagg is the 13th player in franchise history selected to participate in the Rising Stars challenge since its inaugural year in 1994. It was formerly named the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge.
This season marks the third consecutive year that a Mavericks player has received the honor of being invited to the annual showcase. Dereck Lively II was selected for the event in both his rookie and sophomore seasons.
Flagg, the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft, was also selected with the first overall pick in Tuesday’s Rising Stars draft. The three teams of NBA players were drafted by honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
Anthony selected Flagg with the first pick, while former teammates Kon Knueppel and Derik Queen were picked by McGrady and Carter, respectively.
Flagg won’t end up on the same squad as his one-time Duke teammate Knueppel or Queen, who was his high school teammate at Montverde Academy. However, he discussed the possibility following Tuesday’s practice.
“Those are guys that I’ve played with and to have that experience of getting drafted with all of my teammates, was really cool,” Flagg said. “That would be really cool to have another experience like that and play with them and share the floor with him.”
Knueppel, who was Flagg’s roommate during their lone freshman season at Duke, has been sensational for the Charlotte Hornets. He’s won the last two Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month awards, just as Flagg has received the last two for the West.
“He’s been incredible since being roommates last year to now,” Flagg said. “Obviously want to stay in touch. It’s been really busy. He’s been really impressive. Nothing new to me. I know what he’s capable of. I know what to expect. I’m really happy for him.”
Flagg and Knueppel will have their first showdown in what will be described as the battle of Rookie of the Year when the Hornets visit American Airlines Center on Thursday. It’s a game that Flagg anticipates playing in given his competitive spirit.
Flagg was originally doubtful for Sunday’s postponed road game against the Milwaukee Bucks because of left ankle injury management, but the Mavericks were unable to fly over the weekend because of the inclement weather that recently descended upon Dallas.
He was upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Flagg participated in a portion of practice, but also acknowledged his biggest individual feat of the season.
“It’s well-deserved with what he’s done in the first half of the season to represent the Mavs and himself in the Rising Stars game,” Kidd said.
Story by Mike Curtis, The Dallas Morning News.