You Won’t Believe It: No On-Court Practices – Cooper Flagg Reveals the Secret Weapon Behind His Basketball Training

Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ highly anticipated rookie, has shocked the NBA world by revealing that his secret training tool isn’t in the gym but inside NBA 2K26. From small-town Maine to the bright lights of the NBA, here’s how Flagg is redefining basketball preparation.

A Rookie Like No Other

Every NBA season introduces a new wave of rookies, but rarely does one make headlines for training methods that sound more like a teenager’s hobby than a professional regimen. Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ crown jewel of the 2025 draft, has become a sensation not just for his undeniable talent but also for his unexpected secret: he prepares for the NBA using NBA 2K26, the video game.

While his peers are grinding through two-a-day practices or scrimmages, Flagg spends hours analyzing game scenarios, studying teammates like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis inside a digital arena. What sounds unconventional is quickly proving to be groundbreaking. And in a league that constantly evolves, Flagg might just be the pioneer of a new training era.

From Newport, Maine to the NBA Spotlight

Humble Beginnings

Cooper Flagg’s story begins in Newport, Maine, a small town where basketball opportunities were limited. Unlike players raised in major basketball hotbeds, Flagg had to travel hundreds of miles to find competitive environments that could challenge his raw talent.

Montverde Academy and Duke Legacy

Flagg’s journey took him to Montverde Academy in Florida, a powerhouse for basketball development. Surrounded by elite peers, he sharpened his fundamentals and built a reputation as one of the best prospects of his generation. By the time he joined Duke, scouts were already labeling him a future NBA star.

Draft Night and Dallas Mavericks’ Gamble

When the Dallas Mavericks secured Flagg, fans saw it as a passing of the torch — Luka Dončić’s brilliance paired with Flagg’s rising stardom. Yet, the question remained: how would such a young player adjust so quickly to the NBA’s intense pace and physicality?

Flagg’s answer shocked everyone: NBA 2K26.

The Secret Weapon: NBA 2K26

More Than a Game

For most, NBA 2K26 is entertainment. For Flagg, it’s a digital war room. He doesn’t just play; he studies. He runs simulations, observes tendencies, and breaks down the way Kyrie Irving navigates pick-and-rolls or how Anthony Davis protects the rim.

Flagg uses the game not for fun but as a strategic preparation tool. He experiments with scenarios: What happens if Irving draws a double-team? Where should Flagg position himself when Davis rolls to the basket? Which spacing patterns maximize Dončić’s passing wizardry?

Simulating Chemistry with Kyrie and AD

Kyrie Irving, still recovering from a knee injury, hasn’t had as many live reps with Flagg. Yet, thanks to NBA 2K26, Flagg feels he already understands Kyrie’s tendencies. “It’s not just about highlights,” Flagg explained in a Mavericks media session. “It’s about knowing where he likes to cut, where he wants the ball, and how I can complement that.”

Similarly, studying Anthony Davis’ defensive anchors in-game helps Flagg anticipate rotations in real life. He’s building mental chemistry before physical chemistry even begins.

Why Video Game Training Works

The Rise of Digital Sports Preparation

In modern athletics, technology is no longer optional. From VR headsets in NFL training camps to AI-driven analytics in soccer, athletes embrace tools that were unimaginable two decades ago. Flagg’s use of NBA 2K26 is simply the next step.

Tactical Awareness Beyond the Court

Unlike raw athletic training, 2K gives Flagg the chance to test decision-making without physical fatigue. He can replay scenarios, slow them down, and analyze the smallest details. It’s the equivalent of chess grandmasters studying openings — a preparation method that builds instinct and vision.

A Young Player’s Advantage

Veterans may dismiss the method as unorthodox, but for a 19-year-old rookie, it’s a shortcut to basketball IQ. Instead of waiting months to figure out how to gel with superstars, Flagg accelerates the process digitally.

The Blessing and the Problem: Matt Barnes’ Perspective

Former NBA player Matt Barnes recently weighed in on Curry’s revolution in basketball — how the three-point era has reshaped the game. His comments resonate with Flagg’s unique training style.

Barnes described modern NBA basketball as “a blessing and a problem.” On one hand, three-point shooting has electrified the league. On the other, it risks neglecting fundamental skills. In the same vein, Flagg’s digital preparation is both a blessing and a concern.

• Blessing: It shows innovation, adaptability, and forward-thinking.

• Problem: Can video games truly replicate the physical, chaotic, and unpredictable nature of live NBA basketball?

Concerns: Can 2K Replace Real Practice?

Critics argue that no simulation can replace live practice. While NBA 2K26 can model patterns, it can’t mimic the sweat, pressure, and physicality of facing elite defenders in real time.

Missing Fundamentals?

Just as Barnes warned about young players over-relying on threes, skeptics fear Flagg’s reliance on 2K could make him neglect essential fundamentals: post-ups, footwork, and in-game physical reads.

Risk of Over-Simplification

NBA 2K26, despite its realism, is still bound by coding. What works in-game doesn’t always translate perfectly. There’s a risk of oversimplifying complex dynamics.

Yet, Flagg seems aware. “It’s not a replacement,” he clarified. “It’s a supplement. I still grind in the gym. But this helps me get ahead mentally.”

The Bigger Picture: NBA Training in the Digital Age

VR, Analytics, and Esports Crossovers

Flagg isn’t alone in exploring unconventional training. Some NBA teams already incorporate VR scrimmages. Analytics departments run simulations predicting lineup performance. Esports has blurred the line between digital and physical competition.

Flagg is simply the first high-profile rookie to make it mainstream.

Mavericks’ Embrace of Innovation

The Dallas Mavericks, known for embracing advanced analytics under owner Mark Cuban, seem like the perfect environment for Flagg’s experiment. Cuban has long pushed for tech-driven improvements, from wearable data trackers to AI scouting tools.

By letting Flagg innovate, the Mavericks are not just building a team — they’re testing the future of basketball preparation.

Impact on Youth Development

The Curry Effect vs. The Flagg Effect

If Curry inspired kids to shoot threes endlessly, Flagg might inspire a generation to study basketball through video games. This raises questions:

• Will young players prioritize digital study over live reps?

• Could esports training academies become feeders for real sports?

Balance is Key

Experts suggest the answer lies in balance. Just as Curry’s shooting revolution didn’t erase post players entirely, Flagg’s digital revolution won’t replace gyms. But it adds a new layer — a cognitive training method alongside physical drills.

Player Reactions and Locker Room Dynamics

Luka Dončić’s Perspective

Dončić, known for his own high basketball IQ, reportedly appreciates Flagg’s approach. “He’s already asking the right questions,” Luka told reporters. “It shows he’s serious about fitting in, not just playing his own game.”

Kyrie Irving’s Response

Recovering from injury, Kyrie welcomed the idea. “If he can study me digitally, that’s great. When I’m back, it means less time wasted adjusting.”

Anthony Davis’ Thoughts

For Davis, a seasoned veteran, Flagg’s methods highlight the generational shift. “I didn’t grow up with this tech. But if it helps him read rotations faster, I’m all for it.”

Public Perception: Fans and Media

Fans Divided

Some fans hail Flagg as a genius innovator, calling him the “video game prodigy of the NBA.” Others mock the idea, labeling it “2K cosplay.”

Media Frenzy

Headlines exploded:

• “Cooper Flagg Practices on PlayStation Instead of Hardwood?”

• “Mavericks’ Rookie Turns Gaming into Training.”

• “Flagg Effect: From Small-Town Maine to Digital Basketball Pioneer.”

The tabloid-like buzz only amplifies his spotlight heading into the season.

Long-Term Implications

Will Other Players Follow?

If Flagg succeeds, expect a wave of imitators. Rookies and veterans alike may add NBA 2K sessions to their regimens. Teams might hire esports analysts as part of coaching staffs.

Evolution of Scouting

Scouts may start tracking how prospects engage with digital tools. Mental adaptability, tested through video simulations, could become a measurable trait.

Redefining Basketball IQ

For decades, “basketball IQ” was honed only through film study and live reps. Now, with players like Flagg, basketball IQ becomes interactive, dynamic, and gamified.

Conclusion: The Rookie Revolution

Cooper Flagg is more than a rookie — he’s a symbol of how the NBA evolves. From Maine’s humble courts to Montverde’s elite training, from Duke’s legacy to Dallas’s big stage, Flagg has always found ways to adapt and thrive.

His latest innovation, transforming NBA 2K26 from entertainment to education, might sound radical, but it reflects his intelligence and dedication. He’s not replacing sweat with pixels; he’s blending the two worlds for maximum advantage.

If successful, Flagg won’t just be remembered as the Mavericks’ rookie star. He’ll be remembered as the pioneer who proved that the future of basketball might not only be played on the hardwood but also on a console.