Mavs' Cooper Flagg Wouldn't Be Top-5 Freshman in 2026, Says Jamal Mashburn

The TNT analyst believes the current crop of college stars will outshine the Mavs rookie.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn believes that if Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks' rookie sensation, was eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft, he would only be the 6th-best freshman in that class. Mashburn cited 'holes' in Flagg's game and a lower ceiling compared to the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 class, which includes standouts like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and others.

Why it matters

Flagg has been widely praised for his impressive rookie campaign with the Mavericks, but Mashburn's comments suggest the 2026 class could be historically great, potentially overshadowing Flagg's accomplishments. This raises questions about the longevity of Flagg's impact and whether the hype around the next wave of college stars is warranted.

The details

Mashburn, a TNT college basketball analyst and 2003 NBA All-Star, said he would rank Flagg 6th on the 2026 draft board if he was eligible. The former Maverick cited 'holes' in Flagg's game and a lower ceiling compared to the top prospects in the upcoming class, which includes names like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings, Koa Peat and Keaton Wagler.

  • Mashburn made these comments on January 31, 2026.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks who was the Wooden Award winner at Duke last season.

Jamal Mashburn

A former NBA All-Star and current TNT college basketball analyst who played for the Mavericks early in his career.

Darryn Peterson

A highly touted freshman guard at Kansas who is part of the 2026 NBA Draft class that Mashburn believes is stronger than Flagg.

AJ Dybantsa

A freshman wing at BYU who is also considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

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What they’re saying

“If I was to put [Cooper Flagg] on that list [of current Freshman], he would be 6th.”

— Jamal Mashburn, TNT College Basketball Analyst

The takeaway

Mashburn's comments highlight the immense talent and hype surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft class, which could potentially overshadow the impressive rookie season of Cooper Flagg. This raises questions about the longevity of Flagg's impact and whether the next wave of college stars will live up to the lofty expectations.