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Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg both make the top-50 cut in ESPN’s top-100 ranking

ESPN released the latest bunch in its yearly effort to rank the top 100 NBA players. Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg both made the top 50, and, in quite a shocking revelation, Flagg is 16 (!) spots higher than the…

By David Trink · Mavs Moneyball

Published: Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 3:30 PM

Key Things to Know

Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving both secured spots in the top 50 of ESPN's top 100 NBA players list.
Flagg ranked at number 23, placing 16 spots higher than teammate Irving.
Irving was ranked 39th after dropping 14 spots following extended time off from major knee surgery.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Dallas Mavericks players Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were both named to the top 50 of ESPN's annual top 100 NBA player rankings. Flagg placed 16 spots ahead of veteran teammate Irving on the list, ranking 23rd overall. Irving came in at number 39, positioned directly behind Stephon Castle of San Antonio and ahead of Anthony Davis.

Irving dropped 14 spots from his ranking of 25th two seasons ago after missing significant time due to major knee surgery. Flagg, who won the Rookie of the Year award over Kon Knueppel, sits directly behind Jalen Johnson and ahead of Chet Holmgren on the updated ESPN list.

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Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg both make the top-50 cut in ESPN’s top-100 ranking

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