6 weeks ago at the start of the current NBA season, Cooper Flagg was struggling. When he entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, expectations were sky-high. The Duke product had just completed one of the most dominant freshman seasons in college basketball history, earning National Player of the Year honors and leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. But the first weeks in the NBA, playing the highest level of competition, and with a change of position to point guard adding insult, things were not going according to plan. Then, as November turned into December, something remarkable happened: the 19-year-old from Newport, Maine transformed from a struggling rookie into a back-to-back Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
This turnaround didn't happen by accident. It's a story of adaptation, resilience, and the unique challenges faced by even the most talented prospects when transitioning to the NBA.
The Rocky Start
Through his first six games with the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg's statistics told a concerning story. He averaged just 13.8 points per game while shooting a dismal 37.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. His plus-minus sat at second-worst in the entire league. For a player who shot 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three during his lone season at Duke, these numbers raised alarm bells across the basketball world.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon didn't mince words during a November appearance on The Hoop Collective podcast: "Look man, I'm not selling any Cooper Flagg stock, but it's a struggle for him man. He has the second worst plus minus in the league. His shooting numbers are unsightly to say the least."
The problem wasn't just the statistics—it was the role. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd made the surprising decision to deploy Flagg as the team's starting point guard, a position he'd never played consistently at any level. At Duke, Flagg thrived as a versatile forward who could facilitate but wasn't tasked with running an entire offense.
The Point Guard Experiment
Why would Kidd ask an 18-year-old rookie to handle point guard duties? Part of it was necessity. With Kyrie Irving sidelined by injury and the team having traded away Luka Dončić the previous season, Dallas desperately needed ball-handling. But Kidd also saw it as a long-term investment.
"There's a couple of things behind him playing point guard," Kidd explained. "One is our health. The other part of handling the ball is being able to handle the pressure when April comes around and you're playing for something greater."
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was among several former players who questioned the approach. "It's not that I don't think Cooper Flagg's going to be great. I think Cooper Flagg's going to be incredible," Green said on his podcast. "But we're asking a rookie, who's not a point guard, to be a great point guard. And that's just not how this works."
The Mavericks' offense suffered as a result, ranking dead last in the NBA with just 103.5 points per 100 possessions. Flagg's struggles became a focal point of the team's broader offensive woes.
Finding His Footing
Despite the criticism and early stumbles, Flagg maintained remarkable composure for someone barely old enough to vote. "It's a tough league. It's a transition," he told reporters after a particularly rough performance against Detroit. "I haven't made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I would've wanted to, but I'm gonna keep trusting the work. It's nothing I think they should be worried about. I'm not worried about anything."
That confidence proved prescient. By mid-November, something clicked. Flagg began to understand the speed of the NBA game, the nuances of creating for teammates, and how to leverage his 6-foot-9 frame against quicker guards. The shooting percentages started to climb. The decision-making improved. The natural talent that made him the consensus top prospect began to shine through.
His first true breakout came on December 15 against the Utah Jazz. Flagg exploded for a career-high 42 points, adding seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks. At just 18 years and 359 days old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game, surpassing even LeBron James. The performance also tied Mark Aguirre's Mavericks rookie record for points in a single game.
The December Surge
The Utah game wasn't a fluke—it was a coming-out party. Throughout December, Flagg put together the best stretch of his young career, averaging 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game across 13 starts. More impressively, his shooting percentages skyrocketed to 51.6% from the field and 80.8% from the free-throw line.
| Period | PPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 6 Games (Oct-Nov) | 13.8 | 37.3% | 28.6% | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| December (13 Games) | 23.5 | 51.6% | — | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| Season Average | 19.2 | 48.1% | — | 6.4 | 4.1 |
His monthly totals of 306 points, 80 rebounds, 63 assists, 13 steals, and 15 blocks placed him in elite historical company. Flagg joined Blake Griffin, LeBron James, Ron Harper, and Larry Bird as the only rookies in NBA history to record at least 300 points, 75 rebounds, 50 assists, 10 steals, and 10 blocks in the month of December.
The numbers told one story, but the context told another. Flagg wasn't just putting up empty calories on a bad team—he was delivering in clutch situations. Through the first half of the season, he ranked fifth in the NBA in clutch scoring with 70 points on 47.7% shooting, demonstrating the same late-game poise that defined his Duke career.
The Duke Connection
Perhaps most remarkably, Flagg's December excellence coincided with that of his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel. The Charlotte Hornets guard won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December, averaging 20.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds on an absurd 50.0/46.2/90.3 shooting line.
The dual awards marked the second consecutive month that the former Blue Devils swept the Rookie of the Month honors—a testament both to Duke's player development under Jon Scheyer and the 2025 draft class's overall strength. Knueppel became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 three-pointers, accomplishing the feat in just 29 games.
The two are set to face each other for the first time as professionals on January 29 when Charlotte visits Dallas—a game that will undoubtedly draw extra attention given their shared history and current trajectories.
Elite Company
Flagg's rapid improvement has placed him among some of the game's youngest legends. During his December surge, he joined LeBron James and Luka Dončić as the only teenagers in NBA history to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in three consecutive games. He finished December as one of just eight rookies to achieve at least five games with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists during the month—a list that includes only Robertson, Alvan Adams, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among rookies with more such performances.
His 42-point explosion against Utah also tied him with Kevin Durant as the only rookies since steals and blocks were officially tracked in 1973-74 to post at least 40 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks in a game.
These aren't just impressive rookie numbers—they're historically significant achievements that suggest Flagg's ceiling may be even higher than originally projected.
What Changed?
So what exactly transformed between November and December? Multiple factors contributed to Flagg's turnaround:
Comfort with NBA pace: The speed difference between college and professional basketball cannot be overstated. Duke played fast, but NBA defenses rotate quicker, close out harder, and punish hesitation. Flagg needed time to internalize these adjustments.
Simplified role: While Flagg continued to handle the ball extensively, the Mavericks gradually gave him more freedom to attack rather than orchestrate. This allowed him to leverage his natural scoring instincts rather than constantly thinking one pass ahead.
Physical conditioning: At 19, Flagg's body is still developing. The grind of an 82-game NBA season taxes even veteran players. As he adapted to the physical demands, his efficiency improved.
Shot selection: Early in the season, Flagg forced shots and took attempts he wouldn't have at Duke. As his confidence grew, his shot selection matured, leading to higher percentage looks.
Defensive impact: Even during his early struggles, Flagg's defense remained elite. His 6-foot-9 frame, versatility, and instincts allowed him to guard multiple positions effectively. As his offensive game caught up, the two-way impact became undeniable.
The Road Ahead
Through 34 games, Flagg currently ranks first among rookies in total points (652), second in rebounds (218), second in assists (139), second in steals (41), and third in blocks (27). He's the only rookie this season to rank in the top three across all five major statistical categories—a remarkable achievement that underscores his all-around game.
The Mavericks remain a possible playoff team despite their early struggles. Flagg is now the betting favorite to win Rookie of the Year, having overtaken Knueppel in most oddsmakers' eyes thanks to his December surge.
More importantly, Flagg has proven something crucial: he can adapt. The NBA is littered with talented players who couldn't adjust to the professional game's demands. Flagg not only adjusted—he thrived, transforming from a struggling teenager into a legitimate Rookie of the Year frontrunner in the span of six weeks.
Lessons from the Journey
Flagg's turnaround offers valuable insights for evaluating young prospects:
Patience is paramount: The basketball world tends toward instant reactions, but development rarely follows a linear path. Flagg's early struggles didn't predict future failure—they represented normal growing pains.
Context matters: Asking a rookie to play out of position on a struggling team creates an unfair evaluation environment. Flagg's true talent was always there; the role just didn't showcase it initially.
Character counts: Flagg's composure during the difficult early weeks demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Rather than panic or make excuses, he trusted his preparation and kept working.
Duke's development: The Blue Devils continue to produce NBA-ready talent. Flagg and Knueppel's simultaneous success isn't coincidental—it reflects the program's ability to prepare players for professional basketball's demands.
Looking Forward
As January unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Flagg can maintain his December excellence. History suggests he will. The traits that made him the top pick—elite defensive versatility, high basketball IQ, developing offensive game, and remarkable maturity—haven't disappeared. They've simply been refined through the crucible of NBA competition.
The Mavericks are beginning to build their offense around Flagg's unique skill set, and if Anthony Davis in particular can continue to play, the supporting cast should help alleviate some pressure. With Kyrie Irving expected back mid-season, Flagg will get the opportunity to slide back to his more natural forward position, potentially unlocking another level of production.
For now, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Cooper Flagg isn't a struggling rookie anymore—he's a rising star who overcame early adversity to establish himself among the NBA's most promising young players. The journey from Duke phenom to NBA Rookie of the Month wasn't seamless, but the destination proved worth the turbulent path.
Two months into his professional career, Flagg has already demonstrated the resilience, talent, and work ethic required for NBA stardom. The question is no longer whether he'll succeed—it's how high his ceiling truly extends. If December was any indication, we're only beginning to glimpse the player Cooper Flagg can become.
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