Flagg's storybook rise to the NBA started when he became the first freshman ever to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, leading Nokomis Regional to the state title in 2021. He transferred to a national powerhouse, Montverde Academy, the following year, winning the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and the 2024 National High School Player of the Year. The awards kept coming in college, including ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team and National College Player of the Year during his lone season at Duke. Flagg has the height, strength and instincts to play down low as a shot blocker, but he also has the quickness and athleticism to lock down on the perimeter. Plus, his motor never wanes on that end of the court. Flagg put up elite offensive numbers at Duke and has immense potential, but is far from a polished prospect. However, the phenom showed vast improvements early at the collegiate level and eventually emerged as Duke's go-to offensive player in clutch situations. There's nothing Flagg can't do on a basketball court, which is why he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, but he'll have to continue to improve to live up to his lofty expectations. With Kyrie Irving slated to miss at least the first half of the season, Flagg will be forced into uncomfortable offensive situations early in his career, but the Mavericks' new franchise player's ability to stuff the stat sheet makes him an intriguing fantasy option, even if there are concerns about how his offensive game will translate to the NBA.