Cooper Flagg Named to SI’s 50 Most Influential People in Sports — Before Playing an NBA Game
The legend of Cooper Flagg continues to grow and he hasn’t even logged a single minute of NBA basketball yet.
The 6-foot-9 forward, who dazzled the college game in his lone season at Duke before being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, has already been honored with a place on Sports Illustrated’s 50 Most Influential People in Sports list. The recognition places Flagg in rare air, cementing him not only as one of basketball’s brightest young stars but also as a cultural force shaping the future of the game.
A Spot Among Giants
Flagg’s name sits alongside established global icons such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lamine Yamal, and Arch Manning. It’s an eclectic mix of athletes across multiple sports, each chosen for their outsized impact both on and off the field. For Flagg, the inclusion is a testament to his gravitational pull as a generational basketball talent and his potential to define the next era of the NBA.
At just 18 years old, Flagg has already been compared to the likes of LeBron James, not only for his polished skill set and basketball IQ but also for the aura of inevitability surrounding his rise. For SI to anoint him so soon speaks to the anticipation — and the pressure — surrounding his debut season in Dallas.
The Weight of Hype
Expectations don’t get much higher than this. Flagg enters the NBA as the most hyped prospect since James in 2003, with the Mavericks banking their future on his ability to carry them back into contention. The comparisons are endless: a defensive disruptor, a natural scorer, a leader in the making. But beyond the talent, it’s Flagg’s composure and maturity that make observers believe he’ll thrive under the brightest lights.
That calm demeanor has already won him endorsements, most notably as the new face of New Balance basketball, a role that expands his influence beyond the hardwood into fashion and marketing.
A Star for a New Generation
This recognition also signals a generational shift in the NBA. With veterans like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant nearing the twilight of their careers, the league is desperate for its next marquee face. Flagg, with his skill, charisma, and relatability, is uniquely positioned to carry that torch.
For now, though, the hype machine rolls on. Training camp looms. Preseason will offer the first glimpses of how Flagg’s game translates against professional competition. And when the regular season tips off, the world will be watching — not just to see if he can live up to his billing, but to witness the beginning of what could be one of the most influential careers in sports history.
The Bottom Line
Being named to Sports Illustrated’s 50 Most Influential People in Sports list is more than a headline. It’s a declaration: Cooper Flagg isn’t just another rookie. He’s already a movement.
For the Dallas Mavericks, for the NBA, and for basketball fans worldwide, the message is clear the future is here, and his name is Cooper Flagg.