Cooper Flagg Becomes First White American No. 1 NBA Pick in Decades, Sparks Debate and Conspiracies

The NBA has ushered in a new era with the arrival of Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Duke University, who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. But even before stepping onto an NBA court, Flagg has become a lightning rod for cultural debate, racial commentary, and conspiracy theories—underscoring just how much more is riding on his potential than basketball alone.

The Maine native’s selection marks the first time in nearly 50 years that a White American-born player has been taken with the top pick. The last was Kent Benson in 1977. Since then, the league’s No. 1 selections have been either players of color, international players, or both. Flagg’s rise is being hailed by some as a breakthrough moment, while others are questioning the media narrative building around him.

Racial Discourse and Media Spotlight

Sports media personalities have not shied away from discussing the racial undertones of Flagg’s sudden ascent. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, known for his provocative takes, said in March that Flagg’s appeal is partly tied to his racial identity.

“When you’ve got somebody with that kind of potential, and they’re White and you are in America, you keep that dude,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take in May. “It’s because he can play, but the fact that he’s White, marketable — even his name makes him more marketable.”

Smith’s comments echoed earlier remarks he made with co-host Jay Williams, who pointed to the symbolism of Flagg’s image next to the American flag and suggested it taps into a broader cultural sentiment.

British outlet The Guardian added fuel to the discussion with a feature calling Flagg “the next great White hope” and likening him to “Caitlin Clark 2.0.” The article was widely criticized for reducing the 17-year-old phenom to a racial archetype, prompting a backlash among fans and commentators who believe Flagg’s talent should speak for itself.

A Draft Lottery That Raised Eyebrows

Adding to the controversy is how the Mavericks ended up with the No. 1 pick. Dallas had just a 1.8% chance of landing the top slot—ranked 11th among eligible teams—after finishing the 2024 season with a middling 39-43 record.

Months earlier, the team had stunned the NBA world by trading superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick—a deal many pundits saw as lopsided and baffling.

That surprising move, followed by the improbable draft lottery win, has spurred widespread speculation that the system may have been manipulated. During the draft event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, one fan’s heckle of “Dallas was rigged” was picked up by ESPN’s cameras, adding to the noise.

Flagg addressed the controversy with restraint at his post-draft press conference. “I don’t know what to say about that. I have no insider information, if that’s what you’re looking for,” he said. “But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.”

From Underdog to “Maine Event”

Flagg’s backstory is one of unlikely triumph. Raised in the small town of Newport, Maine—a state not exactly known for producing NBA talent—Flagg was repeatedly told that his geography alone would hold him back.

“There’s people that told me I would never be able to make it to the next level or play Division I basketball because I’m from Maine and nobody plays up there,” Flagg told the Associated Press in May.

Instead of folding under doubt, Flagg doubled down on his commitment to the game. “If you have a goal, if you have a dream and you put your mind to it… I always loved the game of basketball. I always put the work in,” he said at the draft combine.

Now, Maine embraces him as a hometown hero with a fitting nickname: “The Maine Event.”

The Face of a New Sneaker Rivalry?

Beyond the court, Flagg is already disrupting the NBA’s multi-billion-dollar sneaker economy. Instead of signing with established titans like Nike or Under Armour, he inked an endorsement deal with New Balance—a brand headquartered in neighboring Massachusetts.

While New Balance has made inroads in the NBA with athletes like Kawhi Leonard and Tyrese Maxey, Flagg may soon become their most prominent ambassador. With the company looking to expand its influence among younger fans, Flagg’s combination of talent, marketability, and underdog appeal could be exactly what the brand needs to compete.

A Spotlight With High Stakes

Flagg’s arrival in the NBA coincides with a period of declining television ratings and a league actively searching for its next marquee star. With legends like LeBron James nearing retirement and younger stars still carving out their personas, the NBA appears poised to rally around its newest rookie.

Whether he becomes the face of the league or just a fleeting media sensation remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Cooper Flagg’s journey is about far more than basketball. It’s a story about race, identity, underdog grit, and the ever-blurring lines between sport and society.

For now, all eyes will be on Dallas—and on Flagg—as a new chapter begins