Cooper Flagg is a named a Rising Star — What other Mavericks have made that list?

To no one’s surprise, Cooper Flagg was officially named a “Rising Star” by the NBA and was tapped to compete in the “Rising Stars Challenge” during the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles before suffering a foot injury in Tuesday’s 120-111 loss at the Phoenix Suns. It got us thinking: What other Mavericks have been named a rising star? How did those selections pan out? Let’s take a look back at the history of the Dallas Mavericks and who turned heads when they entered the NBA.

Dereck Lively II (2024, 2025)

The Mavericks were

ecstatic to draft Dereck Lively II out of Duke. So much so, they were willing to “tank” to get him. To improve its odds of keeping a top 10 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Dallas rested stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving during the final stretch of games. The league fined the Mavs $750,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.” Dallas ultimately was able to keep the 10th pick, which was sent to Oklahoma City. The Thunder drafted Cason Wallace, and the Mavs took Lively II. Despite the fine, the risk was worth the reward. He was an integral piece in the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run.

For his career, Lively II has averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. His recent stretch of injuries has become concerning for the Mavs, but he turned 22 on February 12, so there’s still a long runway for his development. Lively was selected as a Rookie and Sophomore for the Rising Stars Challenge.

Luka Doncic (2019, 2020)

*Bangs head against wall*

Surprise, surprise – Luka Doncic made the Rising Stars Challenge in his rookie and sophomore seasons. After the blockbuster draft night swap that sent Doncic to the Mavs and Trae Young to the Hawks, Dallas quickly found its new star from Slovenia.

Following 21 years of a European superstar in Dirk Nowitzki being the face of the franchise, the reins were quickly handed off to Doncic at just 19 years old. As a rookie, he averaged 21.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists – the best stats of any Mavericks rookie and also won Rookie of the Year. Who is the next closest, you ask? Cooper Flagg – 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists. There’s a reason Doncic and Flagg have comparisons outside of “the trade” that inevitably helped Dallas land the number one overall pick. Both are widely regarded as the most skilled rookies ever to put on a Mavericks uniform.

For his career, Doncic is averaging 29.0 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. He’s a six-time all-star. In his seven years as a Maverick, he brought the team five winning seasons, two Conference Finals appearances, and one NBA Finals appearance. And then, he got traded.

Dennis Smith Jr. (2018)

Dennis Smith Jr. was first regarded as a potential player to build the franchise around. The star guard out of North Carolina State was an athletic phenom. His rookie season didn’t disappoint, averaging 15.2 points per game, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. Smith Jr. was selected as a rookie to the Rising Stars Challenge.

However, a year later and heading into the 2018 draft, Dallas was confident it could find another star, having a top five pick. Ultimately, they selected Luka Doncic, and it wasn’t long until Smith Jr. was viewed as the high-flying, athletic running-mate for Doncic.

The chemistry never had a chance to grow between the two potential stars. Smith Jr. only played 32 games his sophomore season before being traded to the New York Knicks for a package that included Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. After a promising first year with the Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr. hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He’s been a journeyman in his eight-year career, with two stops in Dallas, and one each in New York, Detroit, Portland, Charlotte, and Brooklyn. For his career, Smith Jr. has averaged 9.7 points per game, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. He’s only averaged playing 41 games per season over his eight seasons in the NBA.

Dwight Powell (2016)

The current longest-tenured Maverick made his appearance in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge. With Toronto hosting all-star weekend, Canada’s own Dwight Powell was selected to represent Team World.

Powell was drafted 45th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. Before his rookie season, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Boston Celtics. Ultimately, he landed in the Lone Star State as part of the Rajon Rondo deal during the 2014-2015 season.

Powell has become a staple for the Mavs both on the court and as a veteran off the bench. He was the starting center during the Mavs 2022 Western Conference Finals run and provided meaningful minutes in the 2024 NBA Finals run. Powell is entering his 12th season and has averaged 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for his career.

There are three things that are inevitable in life: death, taxes, and Dwight Powell on the Mavericks.

Devin Harris (2005, 2006)

Devin Harris has been more than just a Mavericks commentator. He was selected to play in the Rising Stars challenge during his rookie and sophomore seasons. Harris was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, who traded him to Dallas in a package for Antawn Jamison.

The Mavs were high on the Wisconsin guard for his quickness and ability to get to the rim. The Mavericks had a gaping hole at the point guard position after letting Steve Nash walk in the offseason. Ultimately, Dallas tried to fill the Nash void with a combination of Jason Terry and Devin Harris.

His rookie campaign was a bit underwhelming, but it became clear the Mavs could use a spark plug like Harris. In his rookie season, he averaged 5.7 points per game, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. He was an integral part of the Mavericks playoff pushes in the 2000’s.

Harris was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2009 in a package for future hall of fame point guard Jason Kidd. For his career, Harris averaged 10.8 points per game, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds. He was selected as an all-star in 2009.

Josh Howard (2004, 2005)

Josh Howard was selected 29th overall by the Mavericks in the 2003 NBA Draft. This draft is notorious for being loaded with talent, producing guys like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony. Dallas found their two-way talent in selecting Howard out of Wake Forest. He appeared in the Rising Stars Challenge in his rookie and sophomore seasons.

After the departures of Steve Nash and Michael Finley, Howard was catapulted to the second scorer responsibility beside Dirk Nowitzki. He spent 10 years in the NBA, including seven with the Mavericks. He achieved all-rookie honors in 2004 and was selected as an all-star in 2007. At his peak, Howard was a certified bucket and also served as Dallas’s point-of-attack defender.

Howard was a crucial piece in the playoff runs during the prime Nowitzki era. For his career, he averaged 14.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

Dirk Nowitzki (1999)

When most people think about the Dallas Mavericks’ history, the first person that comes to mind is often the seven-foot, awkward, lanky kid from Wurzburg, Germany.  Dirk Nowitzki was selected 9th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA Draft and then traded to Dallas for Robert “Tractor” Traylor.

Nowitzki was unlike anything the NBA had seen before. He was a mobile big man who could play on the perimeter and shoot the lights out. His patented one-legged fade away jumper has influenced the game of many greats today, including Lebron James and Kevin Durant.

Nowitzki’s silhouette on the floor in the American Airlines Center is a constant reminder of how great he truly was. Not to mention, his statue outside of the arena that reads “Loyalty Never Fades Away” as Nowitzki played all 21 seasons in a Mavericks uniform.

Nowitzki was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge in 1999 and quickly positioned himself as one of the game’s greats. Nowitzki is a 14-time all-star, 2007 league MVP, 2011 NBA Champion, and seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 31,560 points. For his career, he averaged 20.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Nowitzki is etched into Mavericks history (as of now) as the greatest to put on the uniform.

Samaki Walker (1997)

Samaki Walker was selected 9th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Mavs. The two-way power forward out of Louisville had an incredibly high upside, being a versatile big man who could score inside and defend the rim.

He never panned out in the NBA. His claim to fame is being punched by Kobe Bryant during his time as a Los Angeles Laker. Walker was selected to the Rising Stars Challenge, averaging 5.0 points per game and 3.4 rebounds.

He played 10 seasons in the NBA with stops in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Miami, Washington, and Indiana. For his career, Walker averaged 5.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds.

Jason Kidd (1995)

Jason Kidd was the definition of a true point guard. Dallas needed a true floor general to facilitate the offense coming into the 1994 off-season. The Mavs took Kidd second overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. The California guard had an immediate impact. After a dreadful 13-69 season in 1994, the Mavericks improved to 36-46 in 1995. During his rookie season, he averaged 11.7 points per game, 7.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.

Kidd was selected as a rookie to the Rising Stars Challenge for his injection of winning play on his new team. But it didn’t last long. The 1996 season had Dallas slip back to 26 wins. The Mavericks traded Kidd the day after Christmas during the 1996 season to the Phoenix Suns.

Jason Kidd spent five years in Phoenix, seven in New Jersey, one in New York, and eight in Dallas. Kidd’s return to Dallas in 2008 led to him co-starring with Dirk Nowitzki en route to the 2011 championship.

Kidd spent 19 seasons in the NBA. He’s third all-time in assists with 12,091 and third all-time in steals with 2,684. He’s a 10-time all-star and NBA champion. For his career, Kidd averaged 12.6 points per game, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.

Jamal Mashburn (1994)

Jamal Mashburn was heavily touted coming out of Kentucky. He was one of the most complete offensive players in recent history, while still playing both sides of the floor. The Mavericks drafted the 6’8 small forward with the fourth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. The Mavericks were looking for an offensive powerhouse to share the reins with Derek Harper and Jim Jackson, and they found one in Mashburn. This earned him a selection to the Rising Stars Team in 1993.

His other team was a different story. Team success with the Mavericks just wasn’t there. The 1990’s were abysmal Dallas and Mashburn was right in the middle.

For his career, Mashburn averaged 19.2 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He played 12 seasons, four each with Dallas and Miami, and two each with Charlotte and New Orleans. Mashburn was selected as an all-star once in 2003. Although his tenure in Dallas is forgettable, he’s still considered one of the better scorers of the early 1990’s.

Popeye Jones (1993)

Popeye Jones was drafted 41st overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1992 NBA draft and later traded to the Mavericks on draft night. The Murray State power forward was a tenacious rebounder and provided strength and athleticism on the interior. Jones was selected in his sophomore season for the Rising Stars Challenge. By his second season in the NBA, he was averaging a double-double of 10.3 points per game and 10.6 rebounds.

Jones averaged 7.0 points per game and 7.4 rebounds over an 11-year career. He spent four years with the Mavericks, two each with Toronto and Washington, and one each with Boston, Denver, and Golden State.

Jones has also had a successful 15+ year coaching career with stops in Dallas, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Indiana, and Denver. He won a championship as an assistant coach with the Nuggets in 2023.

Rising Stars Challenge Starts Friday

Through 46 years, rising stars haven’t come all that often with the Mavericks. But those who get selected by the NBA often go on to have impactful careers. Cooper Flagg is the newest Maverick to make this list. So, let’s just enjoy the ride.

The Rising Stars Challenge begins Friday, February 13, at 8 PM Central time on NBC and Peacock.