Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers Drive Dallas Basketball Bonanza

Four months after Dallas Mavericks fans held a mock funeral for the franchise outside its arena following the trade of star forward Luka Doncic, they rushed back to the team’s home court to celebrate what they hope will be its rebirth.

About 6,000 people watched from the stands of the American Airlines Center as the team selected Duke University’s Cooper Flagg with the top pick in the National Basketball Association’s draft Wednesday night. Almost 2,000 fans bought $125 Flagg jerseys from pop-up jersey printers in the arena and online, said Rick Welts, the team’s chief executive officer.