DHJ Quick Take: Dusty May Embraces Dallas Mavericks Job, Praises Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving
Dusty May, hired as the Dallas Mavericks‘ new head coach, said he is pinching himself to be joining the franchise and praised a roster led by Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in his introductory comments.
- What did Dusty May say about joining the Dallas Mavericks? He said he has to pinch himself thinking about being part of the organization and could not be more excited.
- Why did Dusty May leave Michigan for Dallas? He pointed first to the leadership team and the alignment throughout the organization.
- What did Dusty May say about the roster and Cooper Flagg? He called Cooper Flagg a young superstar and Kyrie Irving one of the best point guards in the history of the game, alongside a supporting cast of quality players.
- What kind of basketball will Dusty May’s Mavericks play? He promised an exciting, well-connected brand of basketball that he expects to be fun for fans.
DALLAS — New Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May said he is still processing a whirlwind stretch that ended with him taking over one of the NBA’s most closely watched rosters.
May, who arrives in Dallas after leaving Michigan, said the move had not fully sunk in.
“Yeah, a lot has happened,” May said in an interview with Mavericks Chief Communications Officer Gina Miller at the 2026 NBA Draft. “But I have to pinch myself when I think about being a part of this organization at this time. I couldn’t be more excited.”
May said the decision to leave a strong situation at Michigan came down to the people he would be working alongside and the direction of the franchise.
“First and foremost, it was the leadership team and the alignment throughout the organization—everyone working together,” May said.
He pointed to a roster headlined by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and veteran guard Kyrie Irving as a central reason the job stood out.
“Obviously, you have a young superstar in Cooper Flagg who is about all the right stuff, one of the best point guards in the history of the game in Kyrie Irving, and a supporting cast of really quality players and quality people,” May said. “I can’t wait to get there and be part of the group.”
Dusty May on the Dallas Mavericks Roster and Cooper Flagg
May said he has spent the days since his hiring immersed in film, studying the players he will inherit.
“The last two days I’ve spent every waking minute watching live games and watching edits on these players that I had someone make for me,” May said. “I’m excited about the potential.”
He singled out guard Max Christie as one of several young players whose makeup stood out.
“As you said, Max is a great young player who has a wonderful personality,” May said. “He has an infectious energy to him. Most of the guys I’ve spoken with have that type of character. I can see that they’re easy for our fans to root for.”
Dusty May’s Path From Student Manager to NBA Head Coach
May’s route to the NBA began as a student manager under Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight, an experience he credited with shaping his career.
“I played one year of Division II basketball and decided the best way for me to become a coach was to go work for a legendary coach like Bob Knight,” May said. “That experience led me into college coaching.”
May said he spent years moving across the country in search of new challenges before recent success opened the door to the NBA.
“From there, I bounced around the country learning at every step and trying to find different experiences to grow,” May said. “Recently, we’ve had a lot of success, and that led to this opportunity.”
He credited the mentors and players he has worked with along the way.
“I wouldn’t be here without all the mentors and, most importantly, all the great players I’ve been around and been able to coach,” May said.
Dusty May’s Message to Dallas Mavericks Fans
May said he is most looking forward to taking the floor with his team and giving Mavericks fans a group they can rally behind.
“I’m most excited about walking onto the court with our team,” May said. “I think our fans are going to be proud of how hard they play, how well they play together, and just proud of what we have working and building in this current climate.”
Asked what he would tell fans meeting him for the first time, May described the style he wants his team to play.
“I think they’re going to be excited to watch our team play. We’re going to play an exciting brand of basketball,” May said. “We’re going to be well-connected, and it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a great year.”
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