Cooper Flagg: Bio, Salary, Injury, GPA & NBA Comparisons

There’s something special about watching a 19-year-old from a small town in Maine take the NBA by storm: Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, didn’t just reach the league — he won Rookie of the Year and shattered records along the way, including an ESPN (sports news outlet)-reported $8.04 million rookie card sale. This article breaks down his salary, injury timeline, GPA comparisons, and how his rookie year stacks up against the competition.

Age: 19 (born December 21, 2006) ·
Height: 6-9 (206 cm) ·
Team: Dallas Mavericks ·
Position: Small Forward ·
Draft: 1st overall, 2026 NBA Draft ·
ROTY: 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year

Here is a quick reference of Cooper Flagg’s key details.

Why is Cooper Flagg so famous?

Early Life and High School Stardom

• Born in Newport, Maine, Flagg grew up in a basketball family and was a top-ranked prospect by his junior year (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• His high school career at Montverde Academy drew national attention, with scouts comparing his versatility to elite forwards (NBC Sports).

College Recruitment and Decision

Flagg initially committed to Duke but opted to enter the NBA draft directly after graduating early, bypassing college entirely (Wikipedia). This path — rare for a top recruit — added to his mystique.

NBA Draft and Rookie Season

The Dallas Mavericks selected Flagg with the first overall pick in June 2026 (NBC Sports). He immediately started at small forward, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game (RotoWire).

Record-Breaking Rookie Card

Flagg’s rookie card from Panini sold at auction for $8,040,000, the highest ever for a first-year player (ESPN). The sale reflects both his on-court performance and the frenzy around his collectibles.

This triple foundation has placed Flagg among the most hyped rookies in NBA history.

How much is Cooper Flagg getting paid?

NBA Rookie Contract Scale

As the first overall pick, Flagg signed a standard rookie-scale contract with the Mavericks. According to Spotrac, the deal is for 4 years and $62,730,226, with $28,343,400 guaranteed and an average annual salary of $15,682,557. This is slightly higher than the typical rookie deal because of escalators tied to his draft position.

Endorsement Deals

Flagg’s marketability is strong: his Instagram bio lists over 2 million followers and a business email through Creative Artists Agency (CAA). While no specific endorsement numbers are public, analysts estimate his off-court earnings could surpass $5 million per year within two seasons.

Net Worth Estimate

Calculating net worth is speculative. Combining his rookie salary (about $15.7M/yr), card sale proceeds, and likely endorsements, various sports finance blogs estimate his 2026 net worth between $8 million and $12 million — but no official figure exists.

Rookie Card Auction Record

The $8.04 million rookie card sale doesn’t directly contribute to Flagg’s bank account (the card was produced by Panini and sold by a collector), but it drives his leverage for future endorsement contracts (ESPN).

The pattern: Flagg is already earning NBA-star money thanks to his rookie contract, and the card market is signaling that his earning potential off the court will match his on-court salary within a year or two.

What is Cooper Flagg’s injury?

Any Known Injuries

• Left foot sprain (Feb–Mar 2026): Flagg missed eight games after a midfoot sprain, which also sidelined him from the NBA rookie ladder and allowed Kon Knueppel to briefly claim the top spot (NBA.com (official league site)).
• Ankle sprain (April 2026, season finale): Flagg sprained his left ankle early in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls and did not return (ESPN). The Mavericks confirmed he would miss the remainder of the season (Associated Press via Spectrum Local News).
• Illness absence: RotoWire lists a brief illness-related missed game in January 2026 (RotoWire).

Injury Impact on Career

Despite the late-season ankle sprain, Flagg played 70 games (per RotoWire) and still won Rookie of the Year convincingly. The injuries interrupted his momentum but did not derail his overall performance. The Mavericks expect him to be fully healthy by training camp.

The medical staff will likely monitor his lower-body load carefully in training camp.

What is Cooper Flagg’s GPA?

Cooper Flagg’s High School GPA

Flagg’s high school GPA has never been confirmed by official sources. Some fan forums claim it’s around 3.7, but there is no publicly available transcript or school statement. The question persists because of comparisons with other NBA stars’ academic records.

GPA Comparisons with Other NBA Stars

• Steph Curry’s GPA is commonly cited as around 3.5 during his time at Davidson College (Wikipedia).
• Shaquille O’Neal earned a 4.0 GPA in his Master’s program at Florida State (Wikipedia).
• LeBron James does not have a PhD but received an honorary doctorate from Kent State University (Wikipedia).

Which NBA Player Has a 4.0 GPA?

Several players have achieved perfect GPAs in college or graduate programs. Shaquille O’Neal’s 4.0 in a Master’s program is well-documented. Others like Mike Bibby and Chris Paul have reported high GPAs, but Shaq’s master’s degree is the most famous example.

LeBron’s PhD Honorary

LeBron James was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Kent State University in 2022 — an honorary degree, not an earned PhD (Wikipedia).

Why this matters: Flagg’s GPA, while unknown, is part of a broader curiosity about how basketball prodigies balance academics and athletics. The comparisons to Curry, LeBron, and Shaq show that academic success and athletic greatness are not mutually exclusive.

How tall was Kobe at 14?

Kobe Bryant’s Height as a Teen

Kobe Bryant was 5 feet 9 inches tall at age 14 (Wikipedia). He experienced a late growth spurt, reaching 6’6″ by age 17.

Cooper Flagg’s Height and Age

Flagg currently stands at 6’9″ (2.06 m) at age 19 (Spotrac). He was already tall as a high schooler, but his wingspan (7’1″) is even more notable.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Height Controversy

Shaq’s official listed height is 7’1″, but he has publicly claimed to be 6’11” without shoes (Wikipedia). The discrepancy is common among NBA centers who sometimes wear lifts or list heights with shoes.

The trade-off: Early height doesn’t guarantee late growth, but Flagg’s current 6’9″ frame at 19 suggests he may still add an inch or two, making him even more versatile as a forward.

What did Shaq buy for $70,000 at Walmart?

The $70,000 Walmart Shopping Spree

Shaquille O’Neal once purchased $70,000 worth of merchandise at a Walmart in one visit (Sports Illustrated (sports magazine)). The story — confirmed by multiple sources — includes buying electronics, clothes, and toys, filling multiple shopping carts. Shaq has a history of flamboyant spending and often jokes about his Walmart runs.

Other Unusual Celebrity Purchases

Shaq is not alone: other athletes have made headline-worthy purchases, but the Walmart spree has become a legend because of its sheer scale and contrast between a luxury lifestyle and a discount store.

The implication: While Flagg’s salary is already substantial, the real financial inflection point will come if his endorsements rival those of established stars. The rookie card market is a strong early signal.

One rivalry defined Flagg’s rookie year: the race with Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year. Here’s how their stats stacked up when the race was tightest.

According to Sports Illustrated, Flagg led in all major categories even while missing eight games with a foot sprain. Knueppel briefly topped the rookie ladder during Flagg’s absence but couldn’t sustain the gap.

Flagg’s rookie season ended early after a sprained left ankle in the Mavericks’ regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls.

— ESPN

Flagg was scratched from a game at Brooklyn with a left midfoot sprain, his fourth straight missed game with that injury.

— NBA.com (official league site)

Cooper Flagg’s standout rookie season ends slightly prematurely, but he remains the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.

— Associated Press via Spectrum Local News

Flagg is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for business inquiries.

— Cooper Flagg Instagram bio

For the Dallas Mavericks, the choice is clear: they have a cornerstone who can score, rebound, and defend at an elite level. The injuries appear manageable, and his marketability is off the charts. But for Flagg, the challenge is staying healthy and building on a rookie season that, while historic, ended with a limp. If he can avoid foot and ankle issues, his ceiling is perennial All-Star — and a max contract extension that could make his current salary look like pocket change.