By TESN Staff

New Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May is stepping into his first NBA coaching role with confidence, and much of that optimism centers on one player: reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

During his first media availability in Dallas, May spoke highly of Flagg, praising not only his talent but also the qualities that separate him from many young stars.

"A superstar who plays hard, who cares about his teammates, and who is incredibly unselfish—those things aren't that common," May said.

For May, Flagg represents more than just an elite player. He sees him as the type of competitor who can shape a winning culture.

May's admiration for Flagg began years before either arrived in the NBA. While coaching at Florida Atlantic, he watched Flagg emerge as one of the nation's top high school prospects. Knowing the level of competition for a player of Flagg's caliber, May admitted that recruiting him to Florida Atlantic was never a realistic possibility.

Instead, he simply observed the rapid rise of a prospect who would eventually become one of college basketball's biggest stars.

After starring at Montverde Academy, Flagg enrolled at Duke University, where he delivered one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent memory. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while helping lead the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record. His outstanding season earned him the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year honor before he became the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Flagg's transition to the professional game included a significant adjustment. Under former Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, the natural forward spent time handling point guard responsibilities. While the role required an adjustment, Flagg became increasingly comfortable initiating the offense as the season progressed.

May indicated he has no interest in limiting Flagg to one position.

Instead, he envisions utilizing Flagg's versatility across the floor, allowing his unique skill set to create matchup advantages on both ends of the court.

That philosophy aligns with Dallas' offseason roster construction.

The Mavericks have prioritized positional size, versatility, and competitiveness. The organization added rookie forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick and later acquired veteran forward-center Santi Aldama, strengthening both the team's defensive flexibility and offensive spacing.

May is already familiar with Johnson from their time together at University of Michigan. He praised Johnson's defensive presence and physical style of play, recalling that Michigan's coaching staff routinely reminded one another before games that having Johnson gave them a competitive edge.

May's vision extends beyond individual talent.

He wants a roster capable of adapting to different styles of play, whether that means winning a high-scoring regular-season game or grinding through the physical demands of playoff basketball. Lineup flexibility, defensive intensity, and players committed to playing for one another are central to the identity he hopes to establish in Dallas.

The Mavericks' roster could still change before opening night, particularly as the organization evaluates its frontcourt depth and potential backcourt needs. However, May made it clear that he believes the franchise is positioned to compete sooner rather than later.

With Flagg at the center of the Mavericks' long-term plans, Dallas believes it has a player capable of impacting every facet of the game. If May's vision takes shape, Flagg's versatility, competitiveness, and team-first approach could become the foundation of the Mavericks' next era of championship contention.