Cooper Flagg described his Rookie of the Year win as validation of years of labor after the Dallas Mavericks ahead secured the 2025-26 award.
“I believe it means all the pieces,” Flagg mentioned. “This award and this recognition is one thing that every one rookies come into the yr preventing for.”
The 19-year-old led all rookies in scoring at 21.0 factors per sport whereas including 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists throughout 70 begins.
“All of the laborious work, all of the hours that I put in all year long, all through the years earlier, all of the hours that I’ve put in my entire life, simply to get this second,” Flagg mentioned. “It exhibits that it’s all value it.”
Regardless of the person honor, the highest choose emphasised staff influence and credited his supporting forged.
“I wouldn’t have been capable of do it with out them,” he mentioned. “Thanks to my teammates… coaches, Coach Kidd, the remainder of the workers.”
Dallas completed 26-56 and missed the postseason, however the rookie operated as a main initiator, usually dealing with level guard duties in head coach Jason Kidd’s system.
“I’m at all times prepared for a problem,” Flagg mentioned. “One thing that I’ve at all times prided myself on is simply doing no matter it takes to win.”
He acknowledged the transition from faculty to an 82-game schedule required adjustment.
“It was an extended season for certain,” Flagg mentioned. “I wouldn’t actually say there’s one play… however there’s a set of various moments and completely different studying experiences.”
The ahead admitted he didn’t totally meet his personal expectations regardless of the award.
“No,” Flagg mentioned when requested straight. “It’s at all times simply been about dwelling as much as my very own normal.”
That mindset confirmed in his improvement arc, notably in decision-making and offensive reads.
“I believe there’s a ton of development that I could make offensively, off the dribble and making reads at a excessive degree,” he mentioned.
Flagg pointed to confidence as a key takeaway from his rookie marketing campaign.
“There have been moments all year long the place I used to be at a low,” he mentioned. “However having my help system… helped me with my confidence general.”
The Maine native additionally highlighted the significance of his interior circle throughout troublesome stretches.
“My household, my teammates lifting me up… it simply helped me with my confidence,” Flagg mentioned.
Trying forward, he made it clear the main target is on development quite than accolades.
“It’s time for us to simply transfer ahead, proceed to develop, proceed to get higher,” he mentioned. “We’re simply going to place within the work all summer time lengthy.”
Flagg additionally mirrored on the second he discovered in regards to the award.
“I discovered at 6 o’clock on TV,” he mentioned. “I used to be sitting on my sofa at residence with my household… it was a cool second.”
He added: “It was in all probability one of many first instances that I’ve gained an award and needed to discover out with all people else.”
For Flagg, the message to his youthful self stays easy.
“Simply telling them it’s value it,” he mentioned. “All of the work, all of the hours, simply having fun with the grind and the development.”
