The Dallas Mavericks made it official on Wednesday, selecting former Duke standout Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg entered draft night as the consensus top prospect, coming off a stellar season in which he earned National Player of the Year honors while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game at Duke.
After being drafted, Flagg traveled to Dallas, where the team held his introductory press conference on Friday.
During the session, the 6-foot-9 forward was asked about the pressure of becoming the new face of the franchise—especially after Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year.
Before the question was even finished, Flagg gave a noticeable side-eye glance toward someone seated to his right. The moment quickly went viral online, with speculation swirling that the look was directed at Harrison.
However, Flagg’s mother, Kelly Flagg, took to social media on Saturday to set the record straight, reposting a message clarifying that Cooper was actually looking at his brother—not the GM.
Harrison faced significant backlash following the shocking February trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The move stunned fans and analysts alike, as many believed the five-time All-NBA First Team selection was destined to spend his entire career in a Mavericks uniform.
Still, social media tends to run with speculation. Flagg has two brothers, and while ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the now-viral side-eye was aimed at one of them, it remains unclear exactly which one.
His older brother, Hunter, is currently studying sports management at the University of Maine. His twin brother, Ace, is set to join him there this fall and will suit up for the university’s basketball team.
Ace, a 6-foot-7 forward, is a three-star recruit in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports.
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