Wunderkinds in the NBA: Dallas Mavericks Secure Top Prospect Amid Slim Odds
Dallas Mavericks Face Slim Prospects in Securing High-Profile Agreement
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Prepare for a fresh wave of talent spilling into the NBA as ratiopharm Ulm's esteemed duo, Cooper Flagg and Ben Saraf, join new teams. Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks' promising rookie, is set to make waves this season, while Saraf, selected by the Brooklyn Nets, is poised to make a mean alley-oop or two alongside the established stars.
The once-legendary Mavericks, now led by pales shadow of Dirk Nowitzki and the now-LeBron-sized absence of Luka Doncic, managed to secure the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft with mere slivers of hope. Eighteen-year-old Flagg, who left Duke with a bang after a fantastic campaign, will settle into his new role as the highly anticipated replacement for the Mavs' former prodigal sons.
Giddy as a schoolboy, Flagg remarked in the historic moment, "Man, I can't believe it! I'm so honored to be here, feels like a dream come true."
LeBron was only a year younger than Flagg in an even sweeter scenario when he became the first overall pick back in the day. With the big Frisco boys now welcoming Flagg with open arms, the new kid will have the opportunity to shine alongside NBA All-Stars, such as Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson.
Mavericks fans, brace yourselves with the thought of waiting till 2025, as the excitement brews for this young phenom. The draft order was calculated based on each team's previous year's performance; the Mavericks had an enviable theoretical chance of just 1.8 percent, making their lucky draw nothing short of a fortune cookie miracle.
The 2025 NBA Draft was a boon for ratiopharm Ulm, with players galore being sewn up by premier league clubs. Dylan Harper, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs, and Frenchman Noa Essengue, who missed the crucial final game of the German Championship series in favor of being there for the draft, were picked 2nd and 12th, respectively, by the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls.
Saraf, who was chosen by the Brooklyn Nets at No. 26, opted to neglect his transcontinental travel plans, instead choosing to suit up for his ratiopharm Ulm squad against FC Bayern Munich at 8 pm CEST.
With their extraordinary skills confirmed by impressive EuroCup performances and a solid showing at the draft combine, Cooper Flagg, Ben Saraf, and Noa Essengue are sure to be great additions to their respective NBA teams, ushering in an exciting new era of basketball.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa
- NBA
- Basketball
- Player Profiles
- Cooper Flagg
- Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
- A 6-foot-8 forward who wowed during his first year at Duke, leading the Blue Devils in scoring (19.2 ppg), rebounding (7.5 rpg), assists (4.2 apg), steals (1.4 spg), and blocks (1.4 bpg).
- Shot an astounding 38.5% from three-point range and 84% from the free-throw line.
- Shattered Atlantic Coast Conference freshman records, scoring an impressive 42 points in a game against Notre Dame.
- Ben Saraf
- Drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
- Recognized for his strong passing and ballhandling skills, contributing 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in a recent EuroCup game.
- Noa Essengue
- French forward who proved to be a valuable asset for ratiopharm Ulm, making the EuroCup his playground with an average of 12.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.
- Shot 56% from the field and 29.4% from long range during the EuroCup.
- Summary
- Cooper Flagg takes the No. 1 spot in Dallas.
- Ben Saraf is welcomed by Brooklyn at No. 26.
- Noa Essengue becomes Portland's 11th overall selection.
- These exceptional talents from ratiopharm Ulm will be exhibition-ready for the NBA after impressive displays in European competition and draft combine performances that led to solid first-round selections in 2025 and not the 2022 season.
The Dallas Mavericks, renowned for their history in basketball and the NBA, have been revitalized with the addition of Cooper Flagg, a prodigious rookie selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Ben Saraf, drafted by the Brooklyn Nets at No. 26, will be joining forces with established NBA stars, adding a fresh surge of talent to the league on the eve of a new era in basketball.
