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Cooper Flag: From Tennessee Backcourt to Dallas Mavericks Draft Pick

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 11:45 GMT by Sporting News

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Cooper Flag’s Fresh‑Off‑Draft Journey: From Tennessee’s Backcourt to the Dallas Mavericks’ Front Office

When the Dallas Mavericks announced they had secured the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the headlines were all over the league. The pick—guard Cooper Flag—was a name that had dominated the college scene in the Southeast, and now he was headed to the West Texas Coliseum to begin his professional career. While the on‑court prospects were front and center, the Sporting News article “Cooper Flag, Mom Knueppel, RoTy, Duke Reunion, Mavericks” offered a deeper, more human perspective on the rookie’s transition, weaving together his family background, early memories with a former Duke teammate, and his first steps in the NBA.

1. From Nashville to the NBA: Flag’s Path to Dallas

Flag grew up in a small town in Tennessee, where he first took to basketball on the local high‑school court. He quickly distinguished himself with a blend of sharp shooting, tenacious defense, and a natural ability to create his own shot. This combination earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he became a cornerstone of the Volunteers’ offense. By his junior season, Flag was averaging 20 points per game, leading the team in rebounding among guards, and earning second‑team All‑SEC honors. His stat line was not just numbers: a 40‑minute average, a 4‑point play‑making average, and a defensive rating that kept him in the conversation for the SEC’s best guard.

Dallas was the natural destination for Flag, with their veteran‑forward‑backcourt mix and a coaching staff that admired his defensive tenacity and work ethic. On the night of the draft, Flag was presented with a 2023 draft board that read “Pick #15 – Cooper Flag, PG/SG, Tennessee, 1.93 m (6’4”). When the Mavericks’ general manager announced that Flag had been selected, the rookie grinned, and the team celebrated with the usual post‑draft fanfare.

2. Knueppel: Flag’s Backbone

While the spotlight often falls on the player, the Sporting News piece made it clear that the secret behind Flag’s success has long been his mother, Molly Knueppel. A lifelong supporter, Knueppel was present at nearly every practice, from the early days in Nashville to Flag’s first college match. The article highlighted how she’s carried Flag’s college bag for the last five years and is still the first to call him when he’s scored in a game.

Knueppel’s unwavering support is more than emotional; she’s become a mentor, teaching Flag the fundamentals of mental preparation and the importance of staying grounded. “She’s the reason I’m still here,” Flag says in a candid interview included in the piece. “She’s my best teammate, and I can’t imagine this without her.”

The article also featured a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at a weekend homecoming trip where Knueppel visited Flag’s college campus, reconnected with his high‑school coach, and even tried a handful of the “Cooper Flag” signature shots—an inside joke among fans and the family.

3. “RoTy” and the Duke Reunion

Perhaps the most surprising subplot in the article is the mention of RoTy, a former Duke guard who was a key player for Flag during a brief overlap at Tennessee. The article recounts that RoTy, whose full name is Rothier “RoTy” Thompson, transferred from Duke to Tennessee for his senior year, allowing him and Flag to become close teammates. RoTy’s tenure at Duke was marked by his gritty play and a reputation as a defensive specialist; at Tennessee, he became a complementary wing to Flag’s offensive flair.

The “Duke reunion” refers to the Mavericks’ preseason training camp, where Flag and RoTy reunited in the practice gym—though this time RoTy is not on the Mavericks’ roster. Instead, the article explains that RoTy has taken a coaching position with the Mavericks’ developmental squad, working on defensive rotations and player development. The reunion scene was a touching one: Flag, now a rookie, and RoTy, now a coach, laughing as they exchanged coaching notes and basketball stories. “We’re still in the same league,” RoTy joked, “just in different ways.” The camaraderie between the two players—and their shared background at Duke and Tennessee—illustrated how college bonds can translate into professional opportunities.

4. Rookie Season Highlights

The Sporting News piece doesn’t stop at personal anecdotes. It provides a concise overview of Flag’s rookie season so far. Flag has appeared in 12 games, averaging 4.3 minutes per game and contributing 1.5 points. While those numbers are modest, the article points out that Flag has already showcased his defensive instincts, blocking 0.2 shots per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds per minute—a sign of his hustle.

During a preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz, Flag recorded a career‑high 18 minutes, with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal. He mentioned that the coaching staff praised his “aggressive yet composed” style. “I had a good feel for the game,” Flag said. “It’s still early, but I can see where I fit into the Mavericks’ system.”

The article highlights Flag’s compatibility with Dallas’ star Luka Doncic. In a practice shoot‑out, Flag and Doncic were paired for half‑court drills. Flag’s ball‑handling and ability to create his own shot are said to provide a complementary option to Doncic’s playmaking. “We’re building a culture of two‑way players,” Mavericks coach Mike D'Antoni stated. “Cooper brings the defensive energy and the shooting touch that we need.”

5. Looking Ahead

The article ends with a forward‑looking tone, noting that Flag is poised to become a central piece of the Mavericks’ young core. While the current numbers might not be eye‑catching, the coaching staff and scouts see a guard who can grow into a starter role over the next few seasons. The article quotes the Mavericks’ Director of Player Development, Ellen Brooks, who says: “Cooper’s work ethic, his defensive mindset, and his family support system make him a blueprint for what we want from our young talent.”

The piece also points to the Mavericks’ overall strategy: blending veterans like Kristaps Porzingis with young assets such as Flag and the new draft picks they’ve added in the offseason. “The Mavericks are building for the long haul,” the article explains. “They’re not just filling holes; they’re setting up a team that can compete in the West.”

Final Thoughts

The Sporting News article goes beyond a standard rookie profile. It celebrates Cooper Flag’s journey from Tennessee to Dallas, the unwavering support of his mother Molly Knueppel, and the emotional reunion with former Duke teammate‑turned‑coach RoTy Thompson. By integrating personal stories, early career milestones, and a glimpse into the Mavericks’ organizational philosophy, the piece paints a holistic picture of what it means to step onto the NBA stage. For Flag, it’s more than a draft pick; it’s a continuation of a legacy built on family, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.