Trophy Race | Can Ace Bailey take away Cooper Flagg’s Rookie of the Year title?

This is one of the faces that American basketball has been waiting for for several years. After the first two rounds of the French draft (Victor Vembanyama and Zachary Risacher), Cooper Flagg has been heralded as a possible “generational crack,” a talent of the kind that only appears in small numbers per generation. THE rookie des Mavericks logically favor the predictions for the Rookie of the Year title, among bookmakers and for our editorial office. The former Duke player already looks ready for the professional world, at all levels. But Ace Bailey will try to steal the show. Unless VJ Edgecombe don’t all agree…

It’s hard to call two players rivals, but Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey were already two candidates to be drafted first by Adam Silver a year ago.

Cooper Flagg quickly became a unanimous “first choice” thanks to his stellar NCAA season. Here he is now in the NBA with XXXL expectations but a preferential rookie context. With the Mavericks, he joins a team that is already competitive and surrounded by very talented players he can rely on.

Flagg is already ready for a high level

A temporary leader, the winger is capable of doing almost anything on both sides of the pitch. A very good power forward, gifted with good game vision, especially for his size, he should quickly establish himself as one of Dallas’ main offensive threats. The 18-year-old already averaged 19.2 points in the NCAA, with very decent percentages (48.1% shooting, 38.5% 3-pointers, 84% free throws).

Seeing him put up similar numbers isn’t out of place, especially if he can take advantage of the spaces offered by Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson or the upcoming Kyrie Irving.

In the absence of the playmaker, injured for several months, Jason Kidd should regularly use Cooper Flagg as the main game manager of the Mavericks. A chance to prove himself his maturity and refine your already large repertoire.

Ace Bailey, the leading scorer among rookies at the end of the season?

Falling to No. 5 in the draft, Ace Bailey should have a less versatile roster with the Jazz, but no less responsibility. The former Rutgers player should be one of Utah’s first options, alongside Lauri Markkanen. He showed his natural scoring qualities in the preseason, with two very good outings against the Rockets (25 points at 11/16), then against the Spurs (20 points at 8/13). While his team focuses everything on the development of its young players, the winger should not be short of the ball and shooting opportunities.

Even if he scored just 2 points (1/5) in his team’s first game of the season, Ace Bailey could end the season with a more flattering scoring average than Cooper Flagg. That could be important when it comes time to announce the Rookie of the Year, especially if Cooper Flagg struggles to make a mark on the game.

No other player has been cited as a future “ROI” in our newsroom. The underdogs seem to start from afar. Flag’s dolphin, Dylan Harper he might take a little longer to adjust to the NBA game, and his playing time will be limited by the depth of the Spurs’ backcourt rotation.

Attractive in the preseason, and even history in his first match against the Celtics, VJ Edgecombe could be a very nice surprise this vintage this year. Knuppel could (Hornets), Egor Demin (Nets) and Tre Johnson (The Wizards) should also get significant playing time to learn, but they shouldn’t be the first option on their teams.

OUR FAVORITES

2024-2025 NCAA stats: 19.2 points (48.1%), 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.4 steals in 31 minutes

2024-2025 NCAA stats: 17.6 points (from 46%), 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks in 33 minutes

NOSE OUTSIDERS

2024-2025 NCAA Stats: 15.0 points (from 43.6%), 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals in 33 minutes

2024-2025 NCAA stats: 19.4 points (from 48.4%), 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals in 33 minutes

2024-2025 NCAA stats: 14.4 points (from 47.9%), 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists in 31 minutes