Cooper Flagg’s journey into the NBA has been accompanied by a whirlwind of anticipation, buzz, and more than a few plumes of cigar smoke wafting ceremoniously into the air. As the 2025 NBA Draft unfolded, the Dallas Mavericks made the decision that virtually everyone saw coming. With the top pick, Dallas chose Flagg, a player some analysts romantically referred to as a “franchise savior” while others stood on their soapboxes brandishing the term “game-changer” like poetry in motion. Indeed, Flagg wasn’t just another rookie stepping onto an NBA stage; he was a tempest of potential, ready to pour down buckets and rain misery on opponents.
The Mavericks had found themselves in a unique position, having made headlines for a different kind of transaction earlier that season by trading away their veteran superstar, Luka Doncic. That move, bold and arguably contentious, signaled a full-sail transition. The arrival of Cooper Flagg was their opportunity to redefine the team’s future—a hard reboot code for their flagship franchise. No surprise here: Dallas went all-in, and so did collectors.
Collecting Cooper Flagg memorabilia is already the stuff dreams—or perhaps more accurately, eBay bidding wars—are made of. Enter Topps NOW with impeccable timing, ready to capitalize on the frenzy and further cement Flagg’s burgeoning legacy. His first pro card marks not just a personal milestone but signifies a new chapter penned lavishly in foil and ink.
The release of his Topps NOW card is a curated homage to Flagg’s monumental NBA entry. Front and center is the uniquely autographed “1st Overall Pick” card. It’s the pie-in-the-sky, Willy Wonka golden ticket collectors yearn for—a one-off showcase designed to make jaws drop and bank accounts weep. As is tradition within the collectible card universe, the autographs are available via redemption in several tiers, each more tantalizing than the last. Collectors can chase these nuggets down a rabbit hole of scarcity: from the numbered /25 to the even rarer /10, /5, and the elusive 1-of-1.
But wait—there’s more intrigue sprinkled on for those with a penchant for the extra-special. Two of the /10 cards are uniquely inscribed with “My First Pro Auto,” adding an emotional connect-the-dots for investors looking for long-term value—when sentiment smashes into scarcity at breakneck speed.
The base card itself is no slouch, with foil parallels galloping forth in numbered variations of /99, /75, /50, /25, /10, /5, and, of course, cotillion the engagingly rare 1/1 FoilFractor. It doesn’t take much observation to imagine irons in fires all across America as collectors rustle up these must-have new stocks.
Even before draft night, Flagg’s zephyr-like presence in the card collecting community had been undeniable. He’s not a shooting star that popped out of nowhere; his trajectory was tracked and prioritized from the early days of his educationally inclined basketball prowess. His Bowman cards were already fervently pursued, and his appearance in Topps Basketball McDonald’s All American issues did little to quench the thirst. Earlier this year, Flagg furthered this narrative by inking a deal with Topps and Fanatics, securing his future as a cornerstone in the sports card universe.
Flagg’s inaugural professional release, via Topps NOW, represents not just a product but a carnival of conversation. Whether adding to personal stockpiles or challenging the whims of public auction, this is the moment every Cole Porter-devoted collector has been waiting for. His first card is a bursting piñata of opportunity to commemorate the beginning of what many predict to be a gilded career.
For those strategizing like Wall Street day traders, the Flagg Topps NOW release stands available for a fleeting window, nudging collectors into action through June 29 at 8:10 PM EST. After then, it’ll sit implicit in secondary markets, up for grabs by the highest bidder or cunning negotiator. For connoisseurs and believers in Flagg’s destined superstardom, it’s a well-calculated play—a trump card up their sleeve for when Flagg ascends hoops pantheons.
Much like any groundbreaking moment in sports or collectibles, the countdown is half the thrill, and the other half is what becomes of it. For those who’ve hitched their wagons to the Cooper Flagg phenomenon, this card is just the prologue to a gripping epic yet to unfurl in full technicolor glory across basketball’s and the hobby’s hallowed courts.