Cooper Flagg is one of the biggest prospects in the NBA right now. Hailed as a generational talent, the Dallas Mavericks forward was drafted No. 1 overall in 2025. As the face of the new Gen Z wave in basketball, he has also caught the anime bug, helping bring it further into mainstream sports culture alongside many of his peers.
Cooper Flagg loves One Piece!
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Flagg revealed his love for anime. He stated that Crunchyroll is his favorite app on his phone. Notably, the streaming app has one of the largest anime libraries in the world, with thousands of anime episodes and movies in subbed and dubbed versions.
“I definitely use Crunchyroll the most. It’s the best for having, you know, everything, from English dub to subbed anime and Japanese and stuff,” the rising NBA star said.
Furthermore, his love for One Piece became evident when he showed the back of his case, featuring a cool depiction of the lead protagonist of the long-running anime franchise, Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
“I have got a cool phone case over here. It’s One Piece. I watch a lot of different anime, and One Piece is one of my favorites,” he further stated.
He also explained that the long story arc and growth of each of the characters as the plot moves forward is what keeps him hooked to the beloved anime franchise.
“For me, it’s just the story. One Piece, for example, is a longer anime. I just like following along with that, you know. Different characters and seeing how they develop over time and get stronger is pretty cool to me,” he noted.
The original anime series has run for 26 years, with more than 1,100 episodes, and is now shifting to a more season-based approach with the new Elbaph arc starting on April 5, 2026.
The anime has a giant fanbase that loves the extensive world-building and emotional storytelling through its various characters. Currently, athletes are having a field day, turning characters from the show into a bold fashion statement and an expression of who they are as individuals.
Are you also a fan of One Piece? Let us know in the comments section below.
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