Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is one of the most impressive prospects in recent memory, and now he’s getting praise from basketball Hall of Famers.
Recently, Shaquille O’Neal spoke at a charity event for his foundation, and for an Icy Hot promotion, where the former NBA great spoke very highly of the 18-year-old Flagg.
“Everything about this city, this organization, it’s going to be the right place,” O’Neal told Veazey. “And then we’ll give him time to develop. We all remember Dirk [Nowitzki] wasn’t Dirk when he first got here. I think this is a great organization, a great town for him to start off his NBA career.”
O’Neal also spoke about the incoming pressure that comes with being the top overall pick. He himself was the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, so he is well aware of the expectations that will be placed on Flagg.
“He’s an 18-year-old kid, so, can’t put too much pressure on him,” O’Neal said. “From my experience, you get two years before people really start saying it’s time to win. I think he’s way above that 18-year-old curve. Good thing about this organization, the Mavericks, they’re going to treat him well. This fanbase is definitely going to treat him well through the ups and downs.”
Flagg will join a loaded Mavericks roster with Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving upon his return from a torn ACL. It may be just year one for Flagg, but he will be thrown right into the thick of a championship hunt from the jump.