Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message About Caitlin Clark on Friday
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Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message About Caitlin Clark on Friday
Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message about Caitlin Clark on Friday. The Dallas Mavericks selected Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft. Indiana Fever superstar Clark was taken first overall by the Fever in 2024 after a historic career at Iowa. Clark is currently the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game and firmly in the MVP race. The Fever are set to take on the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center on Friday, the same arena where Flagg will make his home.
Without any doubt, the Dallas Mavericks selected Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft—something he now shares with Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, who was taken first overall by the Fever in 2024 after a historic career at Iowa.
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On Friday, during Flagg’s introductory press conference with the Mavericks, a reporter asked him to name his Mount Rushmore of NBA and WNBA players.
Flagg didn’t hesitate when listing his NBA picks: Larry Bird—his all-time favorite player—along with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
As for his WNBA Mount Rushmore, Flagg took a moment to think before selecting Candace Parker, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, and finally, Caitlin Clark. He capped off his list with a strong message about the Fever guard.
“I might put Caitlin Clark on there just because she’s changed the game so much and it’s heading in the right direction,” Flagg said. “I just love what she’s been able to do.”
Caitlin Clark is only in her second WNBA season, but she’s already made a massive impact both on and off the court. While she’s a standout player—currently the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game and firmly in the MVP race—her influence goes far beyond the box score.
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Clark has helped reshape the landscape of the league from a fan perspective. WNBA arenas have consistently sold out when she plays, and the attention surrounding the sport has reached unprecedented heights since her arrival.
Caitlin ClarkTrevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Cooper Flagg isn’t the first NBA player to praise Clark for all she’s accomplished, and he certainly won’t be the last. Although she’s been ruled out for Friday’s game, her Fever are set to take on the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center—the same arena where Flagg will make his home for years to come.
Related: Jason Kidd Makes Big Statement on Cooper Flagg Ahead of Summer League Debut vs. Lakers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message About Caitlin Clark on Friday
Cooper Flagg was selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He gave his flowers to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No.1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark has already set several records during her short time with the Fever, including the most assists in a single game and season. Flagg also included the Celtics’ Larry Bird, the Lakers’ LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and the Bulls’ Michael Jordan on his NBA Mount Rushmore. He said he might put Clark on there just because she has changed the game so much.
After his first and only season with the Duke Blue Devils, Cooper Flagg was officially selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
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Flagg proved to be one of the best college basketball players during the 2024-25 season. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, he led Duke to the Final Four and was named a consensus All-American.
Now, Flagg will be joining a loaded Mavericks roster with Kyrie Irving (currently injured), Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, that they hope will compete for a championship.
But, before showing his heroics in the NBA, Flagg gave his flowers to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Cooper Flagg before the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
On Friday, during his Mavericks introductory press conference, Flagg was asked to name his Mount Rushmore of WNBA players – his personal list of the league’s greatest.
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The first three players Flagg listed were Los Angeles Sparks legend Candace Parker, Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner and Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson. His final player was Clark, and the former Duke star gave his reasoning.
“I might put Caitlin Clark on there just because she has changed the game so much and it’s heading in the right direction,” Flagg said. “I just love what she has been able to do.”
Flagg also included the Celtics’ Larry Bird, the Lakers’ LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and the Bulls’ Michael Jordan on his NBA Mount Rushmore.
Clark has found major success in the WNBA since being selected with the No. 1 pick in 2024. Through 49 games over two seasons, she is averaging 19.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.
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She has already set several records during her short time with the Fever, including the most assists in a single game and season. She has also played a key role in breaking multiple attendance and viewership records.
Related: Cooper Flagg Names the NBA’s Best Player of All Time Without Hesitation
Related: Kelsey Plum’s Behavior Toward Caitlin Clark in Fever-Sparks Game Catches Attention
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Paige Bueckers Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark Before Fever Game
Paige Bueckers Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark Before Fever Game. Former UConn Huskies star says Clark has dealt with pressure with grace. The Fever are monitoring a groin injury from Clark. The Dallas Wings face the Indiana Fever on Friday at 7 p.m. ET in their first matchup since the former UConn star entered the WNBA. The Wings guard recently spoke on the pressure of being a young athlete in the social media world, where immediate success is expected. The game will be the first time the Fever and Wings have faced each other.
Paige Bueckers entered the WNBA with high expectations after an incredible career with the UConn Huskies at the collegiate level.
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Bueckers has certainly felt pressure in her first season with the Dallas Wings just like last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
Clark was one of the most highly anticipated rookies in WNBA history and wound up living up to the potential, winning Rookie of the Year and being named a WNBA All-Star in her first year in the league.
It’s Bueckers’ time to put on a show for fans.
The Wings guard recently spoke on the pressure of being a young athlete in the social media world, where immediate success is expected.
Bueckers mentioned that Clark has dealt with pressure with grace.
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“I would just say, she handles it with grace and the pressure that she’s put on every single night to perform at the level that she does, it’s inhumane really, to expect people to be perfect and to not have off games or off nights,” Bueckers said. “It’s unfair to have to deal with that but I’m sure she has a great team around her and great people to help her. I know she’s a great person at dealing with it.”
Caitlin Clark became a star in the women’s basketball landscape during her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. She finished her four-year collegiate career as the men’s and women’s all-time leading scorer with 3,951 points.
Now she’s looking to lead the Indiana Fever to postseason success, having already established herself as one of the best guards in the WNBA.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (left) and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.Vincent Carchietta, Grace Hollars-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark and Paige Beuckers are set for their first matchup since the former UConn star entered the WNBA.
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While the Fever are monitoring a groin injury from Clark, Indiana will be facing the Dallas Wings on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
Related: Dallas Wings Turn Heads With Big News for Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers Game
Related: Dallas Wings Turn Heads with Paige Bueckers Announcement on Friday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Source: https://athlonsports.com/nba/cooper-flagg-sends-strong-message-about-caitlin-clark-on-friday