Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg hasn’t played his first NBA game, but he is already finding himself in rare company. Over the weekend, the No. 1 overall pick attended the Ryder Cup, where he was spotted alongside Michael Jordan.

Jordan, a longtime presence at the golf showcase, was photographed next to the 18-year-old forward as fans captured the moment. For Flagg, who only last year publicly called Jordan the greatest player of all time, it was an early encounter with basketball’s gold standard.

The Mavericks are set to open camp with heightened anticipation around Flagg’s role. Kyrie Irving remains sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL, and that absence could leave the door open for the teenager to take on added responsibility.

One Mavericks legend has already expressed confidence in the franchise’s new face. During his annual charity tennis event earlier this month, Dirk Nowitzki said he has been struck by both the attention and the maturity that Flagg brings to the court.

“The hype was real for sure,” Nowitzki said. “Honestly, what I saw, just the way he reads the game already at that age of being barely 18… Athletic, skills, I heard his work ethic is through the roof,” Nowitzki said. “So everything that I’ve saw and heard is that, you know, he’s the real deal. The real deal.”

Dallas has emphasized patience with Flagg’s development, but his blend of size, athleticism and feel for the game is expected to secure him minutes early in the season. The chance meeting with Jordan only added to the buzz surrounding his debut.

As training camp approaches, the Mavericks face a season filled with uncertainty and high expectations. For Flagg, being introduced to greatness off the court may serve as the perfect prelude to the challenges that await on it.