Duke’s Cooper Flagg Says He’s Not Pressured to Fill Luka Doncic’s Shoes, Just Focused on Being Himself in Dallas
The spotlight doesn’t faze Cooper Flagg. Never has, never will. Whether it was dominating high school circuits in Maine or taking over as the face of Duke basketball as a freshman, Flagg’s ability to rise above the pressure has been one of the most defining aspects of his game. So, when he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — days after the shocking departure of franchise icon Luka Dončić — many expected him to show signs of unease. He didn’t.
At his introductory press conference in Dallas, with cameras flashing and fans looking for the next great Maverick to rally around, Flagg addressed the elephant in the room with the same poise he brings to the hardwood.
“I’m not here to be Luka,” Flagg said. “Luka is one of the greatest to ever play this game. What he’s done for this organization is legendary. I’m here to be Cooper Flagg, and I’m ready to put in the work every single day.”
Those words didn’t just signal confidence. They reflected an awareness beyond his years — a player who understands the gravity of the moment, but refuses to be buried beneath it. At just 18 years old, Flagg carries the aura of someone prepared to carry a franchise, but only on his own terms.
The Mavericks find themselves in uncharted territory. After years of being anchored by Dončić’s genius — his triple-doubles, clutch shots, and nightly brilliance — Dallas is turning to a player who’s yet to log a single NBA minute. But what Cooper Flagg lacks in professional experience, he makes up for in pedigree, potential, and personality.
Standing 6-foot-9 with an elite wingspan, Flagg’s defensive instincts are already NBA-ready. He can guard multiple positions, switch seamlessly on pick-and-rolls, and his timing as a shot-blocker is exceptional. But what sets him apart — and what made Dallas fall in love with him during pre-draft workouts — is his basketball IQ. It’s not just high; it’s generational.
“He sees the game two plays ahead,” said Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. “He’s got that rare ability to read the floor like a veteran. The way he processes decisions reminds us of Luka in a lot of ways — not stylistically, but intellectually. And he competes. He wants the pressure. You can’t teach that.”
Flagg’s lone season at Duke was a phenomenon in itself. From his emphatic dunks to his chase-down blocks, he filled highlight reels with plays that drew comparisons to NBA legends. But perhaps more importantly, he turned Mike Krzyzewski Court into a classroom, soaking in every detail, adjusting and excelling with a maturity uncommon for college freshmen.
He averaged 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game — while shooting over 50% from the field and anchoring one of the most efficient defenses in the NCAA. Under Jon Scheyer’s system, Flagg was asked to do everything — and he delivered.
But none of that stopped questions from swirling the moment Luka Dončić requested a trade. The departure rocked the Mavericks fanbase and sent NBA media into overdrive. How do you replace someone like Luka — a walking triple-double, a perennial MVP candidate, and the most gifted player in franchise history since Dirk Nowitzki?
Simple answer: you don’t. And Flagg knows that.
“There’s no replacing someone like Luka,” Flagg reiterated. “He’s one of one. I’m just grateful to be in a position to start my own journey here. I’m focused on learning, improving, and giving Dallas everything I’ve got. I’m not here to be the next anybody. I’m here to be the first me.”
That mindset has already won him fans within the Mavericks locker room. Veteran forward P.J. Washington, who was instrumental in Dallas’ postseason run last year, said Flagg has already earned respect for his humility and work ethic.
“He’s in the gym before most of us, and he stays late. He asks questions. He watches film. He wants to get better,” Washington said. “You can’t ask for more from a rookie. The hype is real — but he’s handling it like a pro.”
Still, the road ahead won’t be easy. The Western Conference is brutal, and Dallas is now in a transitional phase. Flagg will be leaned on heavily — not just for his production, but for leadership on and off the court. He’ll have the weight of a franchise that was built around a superstar, and is now trying to rediscover its identity.
Flagg isn’t blind to those realities. But if his past is any indicator, it’s not pressure that motivates him — it’s purpose.
He credits his upbringing in Newport, Maine — a town of less than 2,000 people — for shaping his grounded mindset. “My family, my community — they’ve always kept me humble,” Flagg said. “I’ve been lucky to have people around me who taught me to focus on what really matters: your effort, your attitude, how you treat people.”
Those values carried him through Montverde Academy, through his recruitment to Duke, and through every step of a journey that seemed destined to lead to the NBA. But now comes the defining chapter: carving his name into the history of a franchise in transition.
Coach Jason Kidd, who will be charged with guiding Flagg through his rookie season, is optimistic.
“He reminds me a little of Giannis in terms of how he approaches the game mentally,” Kidd said. “Not comparing skillsets — just the work ethic, the humility, the fire to win. You see that in Cooper. He’s not trying to skip steps. He’s not ducking the challenge. That’s special.”
As Flagg gears up for Summer League action in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on him. Every touch, every pass, every misstep will be dissected. But if you’re expecting him to flinch, you haven’t been paying attention.
This is a player who once said that fear was “just a reminder you care.” A player who thrived under national pressure at Duke, who turned whispers of doubt into roars of belief. A player who understands legacy — not as something you inherit, but something you earn.
So no, Cooper Flagg isn’t worried about filling Luka Dončić’s shoes.
He’s too busy lacing up his own.
