Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg wouldn’t be a top-5 freshman in 2026, according to Jamal Mashburn

Whether they realize it or not, the media ensures that 2026 NBA Draft Class will face a lot of pressure next season. Kansas guard Darrin Peterson and BIU wing AJ Dibanca lead a terrific group of freshmen that is drawing historic accolades. While an impressive number of rookies are showing off their skills, some people are already fantasizing about the next batch of newcomers.

It’s perfectly reasonable to admire Peterson, Dibanca, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings, Ko Peet and Keaton Wagler, but you should also keep in mind the last college star to be anointed a generational talent. Despite all the uncertainty surrounding his team, Cooper Flagg has a significant first campaign with Dallas Mavericks.

The Wooden Award winner received endless hype at Duke, and has been impressive so far at the next level. However, Jamal Mashburn doesn’t think Flagg would have shined as brightly if he hadn’t reclassified.

The TNT college basketball analyst and 2003 All-Star, who also began his NBA career with the Mavs, says he would rank Flagg sixth on the big board if he was eligible for this year’s NBA draft. Mashburn recalls seeing “holes” in the forward’s game and doesn’t think his ceiling is as high as that of the top 2026 prospects.

“If I were to put (Cooper Flagg) on ​​that (current freshman) list, he’d be No. 6. 😳@jamalmashburn explains why this year’s best freshman stands out to him 🗣 pic.twitter.com/kGkknRPSgp

— TNT Sports US (@TNTSportsUS) January 31, 2026

Cooper Flagg is setting the bar pretty high for the 2026 class

Perhaps he is guilty of bias recently. He may still be bitter about his Kentucky Wildcats losing to Duke in heartbreaking fashion in the 1992 NCAA Tournament (Christian Laettner’s pull-up jumper). Or, maybe Mashburn really does hold the best of this class in the bigger picture. Anyway, this is a strange claim two days later Cooper Flagg scored 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting.

If there are five current freshmen capable of overcoming such a trajectory, then the league will experience an unprecedented youth movement. There are those who may quibble with the 19-year-old’s athleticism, but it’s hard to argue with the fantastic skill he showed off in Durham, North Carolina. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range.

Share the floor with another Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knuepel definitely helped, but the 6-foot-6 native of Newport, Maine, still led the Blue Devils to the brink of the national championship game. He deserves the benefit of the doubt, even in the face of a celebrated freshman.

Jamal Mashburn is not the first to make this argument, and he may not be the last. Still, Flagg has plenty to keep him busy. Regardless of how the future turns out, this sound bite is sure to make another appearance down the road.