At the 2023 NBPA Top 100 Camp, I captured a photo that now feels like a snapshot of basketball’s future. In the frame are Cooper Flagg, poised to begin his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, and Darius Acuff, preparing for his freshman year with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Neither player has suited up yet on their new stage — but the anticipation is undeniable. Flagg enters the NBA as one of the most highly touted rookies in recent memory, a versatile forward expected to impact Dallas immediately. Acuff, meanwhile, heads to Fayetteville with the skill, toughness, and vision to make waves in the SEC as a first-year guard. Their careers are just beginning, but the basketball world is already watching closely to see how far they’ll climb.

For me, moments like this are exactly why I first picked up a camera back in Las Vegas in 2012, documenting grassroots gyms where the stars of tomorrow were hidden in plain sight. Over the years, I’ve taken thousands of photos at major events, capturing athletes before the spotlight found them. This image of Flagg and Acuff stands as more than just a memory — it’s a reminder of my own journey in covering high school, college, and grassroots basketball, and the power of seeing the game’s next great players before their stories are fully written.

As Unit 1 Hoop Source, I’ve always believed in chronicling the game authentically, with an eye for detail and respect for the process. This shot represents not just where Flagg and Acuff are headed, but why these stories matter: the journey is just beginning — for them, and for all of us who follow the game.

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© 2025 Kim Muhammad | Unit 1 Hoop Source. All Rights Reserved.
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📝 Editorial Disclaimer:

Editorial Disclaimer — Unit 1 Hoop Source
All evaluations, opinions, and reflections in this article are based on firsthand coverage, photography, and research conducted by Unit 1 Hoop Source. Our content is intended for journalistic and scouting purposes only and reflects authentic observations from events, programs, and players. While we strive for 100% accuracy, basketball is an evolving game, and future outcomes may differ from projections.