In an NBA Draft twist that was more anticipated than surprising, Cooper Flagg has been officially anointed as the future cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks. Selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg’s arrival marks a bold new chapter for the franchise. This comes on the heels of the Mavericks’ seismic decision to trade their previous talisman, Luka Doncic, effectively hitting the giant reset button on the franchise control panel. Mavericks fans find themselves awash in a sea of optimism and new possibilities, with Flagg’s selection heralding a new era for Dallas’s basketball ambitions and providing collectors with an early Christmas.
While Dallas fans eagerly anticipate Flagg sporting their beloved blue-green, Topps NOW, the producer of on-demand sports card experiences, has seized this pivotal moment to release Flagg’s very first professional basketball card. For collectors and enthusiasts, this card isn’t just a rectangle of cardboard adorned with a holographic sheen; it’s a tangible piece of sports history, capturing the first flicker of an NBA career that’s loaded with potential.
As night turned to day on draft night, the Mavericks’ front office might have finally breathed easy. Their gigantic gamble of trading away Doncic in a cash-conscious era had left many baffled, often inviting skepticism over what truly constituted “value” in a team built on celestial talent. Yet, here they were, clasping a draft selection that promises not a mere player but a franchise reanimate—a chance to craft a narrative as gripping as a Texas tornado.
For the hobbyists, chasing parallels and low-numbered special editions isn’t just about increasing the price of their collections but about embracing the stories—the triumphs, the breakouts, and yes, even the failures that each card encapsulates. Topps NOW, recognizing the hunger for something extraordinary, launched Flagg’s card just in time to catch the draft night applause, his fresh Mavericks uniform a reflection in the card gloss.
What does the release boast? Sitting atop a curated list are the singular pieces: a stunning 1/1 autographed card, crowned with a “1st Overall Pick” inscription that turns dreams of glory into collector’s gold. The autographs, available through redemption cards, are a treasure trove of exclusivity, tiered and numerically serialized in tantalizingly small batches, including options numbered to /25, /10, /5, and of course, the 1-of-1 alpha of autographs. Adding an intimate touch, a couple of the /10 autographs proudly proclaim, “My First Pro Auto,” a sentimental nod to the collectors banking more on sentiment than stock price.
However, the chase doesn’t stop with ink. The set also offers foil parallel versions of Flagg’s base card, available in a rainbow of numerical varietals: /99, /75, /50, /25, /10, /5, and an elusive 1/1 FoilFractor, each adding a unique facet to the collector’s feast.
Flagg’s name was already a hot household item among collectors prior to even setting sneakers on an NBA court. His aura wasn’t limited to social media whispers; it had already cascaded into card shows and collectors’ forums. Bowman cards and Topps Basketball McDonald’s All American editions featuring this prodigious talent were already being held tightly in personal collections, like talismans of tomorrow’s triumphs. Flagg, securing an exclusive agreement with Topps and Fanatics earlier this year, further cemented his role as a pivotal figure in the evolving landscape of sports memorabilia.
Now, with the Topps NOW release making his presence felt in the professional card scene, it’s the start of something electric. Fans and collectors alike sprint towards this moment—whether they’re avidly amassing a personal collection piece or speculating on its long-term stockmarket, there is little doubt: This is Cooper Flagg’s NBA cardboard genesis.
Available only through June 29 at the precisely nerdy time of 8:10 PM EST, this card is poised to be one of the defining artifacts from this year’s draft class—a talismanic representation of what could become one of Dallas’ most iconic drafts. So, it’s time to move quickly—because Flagg’s fanfare is a juggernaut of momentum, and those who hesitate might just miss the frenzy.