Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (7) battle for the loose ball in the first half of a game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Entering the season, Cooper Flagg said that he was most excited to play his former teammates in the NBA over the 2025-26 campaign. He had his first crack at them on Saturday.

Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks hosted Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, Sion James and the Charlotte Hornets at the American Airlines Center. Though the Flagg had an efficient 11-point performance, it was the Hornets that emerged with the 120-116 victory.

The 18-year-old stated in a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session that facing the Hornets would be one of his circled matchups, with three former teammates on the roster. He played with Knueppel and James at Duke, and with McNeeley at the Montverde Academy.

"It was cool," Flagg said after the matchup. "Having three former teammates on the same team, being able to play against them at this level is pretty cool. I just feel blessed to have this opportunity to play against them."

Headlined by Flagg as the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Blue Devils had five total players selected in the same class for the second time: Knueppel (No. 4 pick), Khaman Maluach (10th pick), James (33rd pick) and Tyrese Proctor (49th pick).

Flagg and Knueppel were roommates last season in Durham and helped the Blue Devils to the Final Four, their first trip to the national semifinals since 2022. Flagg was the national college player of the year and an All-American, while Knueppel was a second-team All-ACC selection.

The two embraced on the court after the final buzzer sounded in the first of many future matchups in the NBA. Though the contest likely wasn't as meaningful as a regular-season game, Flagg was thankful to play against Knueppel on Saturday.

"The No. 4 pick is a pretty big deal, so just being happy for him," Flagg said. "That is somebody who is going to be a friend of mine for life, so just happy for him. I think he is in a great situation and a great spot. I'm just so happy for him moving forward and the opportunity that he has."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Cooper Flagg praises former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel as a friend 'for life'

Reporting by Cody Taylor, Rookie Wire / Rookie Wire

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