WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark is already among some of basketball’s all-time greats according to NBA rookie Cooper Flagg who paid the Indiana Fever star a major compliment on Friday
Cooper Flagg was introduced to Dallas media on Friday as the newest member of the Mavericks(Image: Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ahead of her arrival in Dallas, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was paid a major compliment by Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg.
Flagg was introduced to the media on Friday after he became the second youngest first overall draft pick in NBA history (18 years and 186 days) on Wednesday. But before the Duke legend could make his league debut on the hardwood at American Airlines Center, he took a seat in the bleachers at AAC to watch on as the WNBA’s Dallas Wings hosted the Fever on Friday evening.
Set to be the first WNBA game between 2023 top pick Clark and 2024 top pick Paige Bueckers, any such hopes were dashed when the former was ruled out with a groin injury for her second-straight game.
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Regardless, it’s safe to say that Flagg is well aware of how prodigiously talented Clark is. In fact, he recently told reporters that the 2024 All-Star and All-WNBA First-Teamer would be on his Mount Rushmore of league legends alongside Candace Parker, Brittney Griner, and A’ja Wilson. Flagg explained that Clark’s inclusion was down to how “ she’s changed the game so much and it’s headed in the right direction, and I just love what she’s been able to do.”
Flagg’s attendance at AAC – which was met with rapturous cheers at the arena – was labeled “really cool” by Bueckers ahead of tip-off, with the 23-year-old telling reporters, “It’s an exciting time for Dallas basketball. For us to all support each other, we want great things for the city and to represent the city well.”
As for his NBA Mount Rushmore, Flagg settled on Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant, whilst also revealing that his favorite basketball movie is Hoosiers.
Somewhat ironically, Flagg’s potential debut in the upcoming Summer League in Las Vegas will come in the opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, with the latter set to feature a certain Bronny James.
Caitlin Clark was forced to watch from the sidelines on Friday(Image: Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Once on the court, Flagg will return to wearing the No. 32 – something he was unable to do at Duke. “32 has always been my number, when I was a little kid, middle school, high school,” he explained.
“Last year, obviously, it’s retired (at Duke) for Christian Laettner, so I wasn’t able to wear it, so I’m excited to get back to my number.”
Flagg joins a Mavericks team in transition, looking to move on from the Luka Doncic era abruptly ended when the Serbian was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning mid-season trade.
But while he won’t have Doncic to lean on for advice, as pointed out by general manager Nico Harrison, there are plenty of other experienced players to guide the way.
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“He’s very lucky to have veterans, future Hall of Famers when you talk about Kai [Irving] and Klay [Thompson] and AD [Anthony Davis],” he said.
“The vets are going to protect him and help him. And they’re going to push him. When I was drafted, we were maybe the youngest team. We just didn’t have a lot of vets.
“I know Mo Wiley’s here, no disrespect. But we didn’t have future Hall of Famers. When he’s stepping into this situation, there’s no better situation for him to learn the game both on and off the floor.”