With the 2025 NBA Draft just weeks away, top prospect Cooper Flagg continues to generate buzz as the consensus No. 1 overall pick, particularly around his potential fit with the Dallas Mavericks who own the top selection.
Flagg turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine with a standout 10.64 lane agility score. That drill is specifically designed to test quickness, directional change, and speed under pressure. Beyond the numbers, Flagg has also benefited from veteran mentorship while soaking up advice from NBA icons Kevin Durant and Chris Paul.
Cooper Flagg Receives Words of Wisdom From Kevin Durant and Chris Paul
It’s not uncommon for top prospects to cross paths with NBA stars during the pre-draft process, and Flagg is making the most of those moments. In a conversation with RG’s Mark Medina, Flagg’s trainer, Matt MacKenzie, offered insight into how the 18-year-old is absorbing lessons from some of the league’s greats.
“Being able to see Kevin Durant work out and then talk to Chris Paul off the court has been very valuable,” MacKenzie said. “For Cooper, it’s about finding the right mentors … players who’ve done it before, so he can take pieces of what’s made them successful and use that to shape his own journey.”
COOPER FLAGG JUST WENT COAST-TO-COAST AND POSTERIZED THE DEFENDER 😱🔥
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Z5jcZ756ew
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2025
Having the right mentors makes a difference for Flagg when he arrives in the NBA. The Association is a different beast, unlike college. Most top basketball players showcase their talents, but there’s no room for error. With Durant and CP3, you have two pros who have been there and done it all.
Besides the individual skill set, the team game remains critical. MacKenzie continued, “It’s important to embrace the boring part of things. Sometimes it’s not always going to be different every day. You kind of have to lock in on the small details and nuances of skill development but also understand where you need to be on the floor at different times and how to work off your teammates.”
The Big Fundamental Dominated the NBA by Doing “Boring Things”
Look at Tim Duncan. The Hall of Famer built his whole game on fundamentals, with his sound footwork, reliable bank shots, and strong rebounding and defense. His highlight reel isn’t filled with flash. He was efficient. And it worked. Duncan won five NBA championships by mastering the basics and sticking to what made him great.
“Having Cooper surrounded by somebody like that who can reinforce the little details and how important it is to focus on your footwork, even if it’s for 30 to 40 minutes, to stay refined, is important,” MacKenzie said. “Seeing that process, even at the age that KD is, he’s still coming in four to five days a week to put in those extra reps.”
If Flagg continues soaking up wisdom from all-time greats like Durant and Paul — and combines that with his already elite work ethic and versatility — he won’t just be ready for the NBA. He’ll be ready to shape it for years to come.
