Dallas Mavericks alternate governor Mark Cuban is drawing attention at the NBA Summer League after likening rookie Cooper Flagg’s developmental path to that of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.
Cuban, speaking with FOX Sports’ Rachel Nichols, expressed his belief that Flagg, the Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick, could be on a trajectory similar to Bryant, who famously made the leap to the NBA straight from high school and evolved into one of the game’s all-time greats.
Flagg made his highly anticipated debut Thursday night, leading Dallas to an 87-85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas. The contest, which also featured Bronny James making his Lakers debut, was one of the most anticipated matchups of the Summer League.
Mark Cuban in the building to watch Cooper Flagg play his first game, says he sees a the same type of development track for Flagg as we saw for 18-year-old Kobe (although of course stressing that they are very different players)
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 11, 2025
Flagg, 18, finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in 31 minutes. He overcame a rough shooting night (5-of-21 from the field) but showcased his all-around game and defensive elite. The Mavericks relied on contributions from undrafted rookies Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly, who combined for 38 points to secure the win.
Bryant entered the NBA in 1996 directly from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania and faced early challenges before blossoming into a five-time NBA champion and league MVP. Flagg, by contrast, spent a year at Duke, where he earned national player of the year honors before being selected first overall by Dallas.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs last season after reaching the Finals in 2024. They are now looking to Flagg as a foundational piece alongside veterans Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. Given the elite talent on the Mavericks’ roster, it is entirely plausible that Flagg could one day become an NBA champion and potentially a Hall of Famer.
