Victor Wembanyama was the most hyped rookie in NBA history, passing even LeBron James, although Cooper Flagg gives him a run for his money, and recently bested him in one category.
The NBA has seen an elite recent group of first overall picks. After the likes of Anthony Bennett, Andrew Wiggins, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, Deandre Ayton, and Zion Williamson came through, the league was treated to Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, and Cooper Flagg.
Of course, players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Zaccharie Risacher broke the trends they were sandwiched with, but for the most part, the quality of the top pick has only improved.
Perhaps no two rookies have entered the league with more hype than Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg. Both have been heralded as future faces of the sport with GOAT potential, although for now, Wemby has a clear advantage.
However, Flagg recently surpassed Wemby in one category, setting a new record.
Flagg's Debut Jersey Is Sold
In recent years, the NBA has held onto key pieces of memorabilia, selling them through its own auction site. This season, the league made the brilliant call for all rookies to wear a gold patch in their very first game, signifying that the jersey is special.
Flagg's Dallas Mavericks jersey recently sold for a million dollars, the most of any jersey sold directly by the NBA. The previous record holder? Wembanyama, at $762,000.
Wembanyama and Flagg both play in Texas, in the same division, on two historical rivals. Flagg, originally from Maine, is expected to eventually become the face of American basketball, possibly representing Team USA as soon as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, has already earned a silver medal while playing for France. The pair is expected to battle it out both in the NBA and on the global stage.
It's worth noting that Flagg's debut was an ineffective, ten-point outing against none other than Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Wemby recorded a 40-point, 15-rebound, three-block effort in that game, and the Spurs blew Dallas out at home.
Since that game, Flagg has bounced back and established himself as easily the best player in his draft class, although the Mavericks are lagging behind. For now, Wemby and the Spurs are clearly the better team, although Dallas should be on the rise in the coming seasons.
Expect the Flagg and Wemby rivalry to be appointment viewing for the next decade and a half.