Cooper Flagg is already seemingly a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After establishing himself as one of the top high school players in the country, regardless of class, the 17-year-old Maine native is enrolled at Duke University and poised to become college basketball’s biggest one-year star since Zion Williamson. Flagg’s arrival in the NBA was already meant to be something to be celebrated, but his outstanding run with USA Basketball has taken the excitement to a new level.
Flagg is still just 17 after reclassifying, essentially skipping his senior year of high school, but USA Basketball still invited him to train with the senior men’s national team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Many players took to the court as opponents, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, but Flagg not only competed on an equal footing with the world’s best players, he thrived.
Flagg reportedly took the lead during practice Monday afternoon, showcasing his shooting prowess, hustle plays and defensive versatility. The national team defeated the select team by just one point, 74-73.and the youngest player in attendance took the lead.
Check out this sequence from Flagg, who races past Anthony Davis to make a difficult 3-pointer, sprints down the floor to stop Davis in transition, then drops back to get the rebound and the putback.
Another 3-pointer from Flagg, smashing it over the outstretched arms of Davis from the corner. Flagg’s shot isn’t generally considered one of the strongest parts of his game, but it’s looked great against some of the tallest, most athletic defenders on the planet.
Flagg is so big at 6’10” he can overpower smaller guys on the inside. Watch as he cuts into the lane, mismatches Jrue Holiday and hits him with a turnaround in the face.
How many players in the NBA could call Holiday a “mismatch” despite his size advantage? Flagg seems almost as likely to be called a mismatch because of the immediate polish and long-term upside potential he has.
Flagg has a lot of upside as a prospect. He has true NBA size (Duke listed him at 6’9, 205 lbs.), great running and jumping ability, good athleticism and a strong feel for the game. He’s a solid shooter, a very good passer and knows how to move without the ball. Defensively, he’s light on his feet on the perimeter and has good instincts as a help defender. There will be growing pains as a player as young as Flagg moves up a level (he was 18 until December), but he looks like he’ll live up to the hype.
The reporters in attendance were undoubtedly impressed as this was their first time seeing him in person.
Cooper Flagg, that guy
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 8, 2024
Cooper Flagg is the real deal, and the league is already preparing for his arrival as mediocre teams like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets begin to sink to the bottom of the league. With so many contenders in both conferences, the race to the top of the league will be thrilling, but it will also be interesting to watch the last-placed teams prepare for Capture the Flag matches all season long.
