Cooper Flagg's Mom Wants Comparisons to NBA Legends Stopped

Kelly Flagg urges fans to let her son 'be Cooper' as he carves his own path in the NBA.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks rookie, has been drawing comparisons to NBA legends like LeBron James due to his impressive play. However, his mother, Kelly Flagg, has taken to social media to ask people to stop making these comparisons and let her son 'be Cooper' as he works to become the best version of himself.

Why it matters

Comparisons to all-time greats can put immense pressure on young players, and Kelly Flagg wants her son to focus on his own development without the weight of those lofty expectations. As Flagg continues to impress in his rookie season, maintaining a healthy perspective on his progress will be crucial for his long-term success.

The details

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been averaging an impressive 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game for the Dallas Mavericks. His play has drawn comparisons to NBA legends like LeBron James, with former player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins even calling him the 'white version of LeBron James.' However, Flagg's mother, Kelly Flagg, has taken to social media to urge people to stop making these comparisons and let her son carve his own path in the NBA.

  • Cooper Flagg was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
  • Flagg is currently in his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Kelly Flagg

The mother of Cooper Flagg, who has asked for people to stop comparing her son to NBA legends and let him 'be Cooper.'

Kendrick Perkins

A former NBA player and current ESPN analyst who compared Cooper Flagg to LeBron James.

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What they’re saying

“Can we stop with the comparisons and just let Cooper be Cooper? He's striving to be the best version of himself every day. Of course there are facets of his game that may remind you of players who have come before. He's a student of the game and he's learning quickly.”

— Kelly Flagg, Mother of Cooper Flagg (X)

What’s next

Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks will face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, February 11th, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video.

The takeaway

As a highly touted rookie, Cooper Flagg's impressive play has drawn comparisons to NBA legends, but his mother, Kelly Flagg, wants the focus to be on her son's individual development and journey. Maintaining a healthy perspective on Flagg's progress, without the weight of lofty expectations, will be crucial for his long-term success in the league.