The 2025 NBA Draft — Will Cooper Flagg Measure Up to the Hype?
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By: Adi Kumar
Cooper Flagg, the star forward at Duke is poised to be selected first in the NBA draft. What makes him so good, and will he measure up to the hype?
Right now, Cooper Flagg is one of the most hyped basketball prospects and is the consensus number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Flagg first gained attention in high school for his lethal combination of scoring, size, and defense. The hype was solidified by his dominant run in the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida. He then went to Duke University, a basketball powerhouse, where he averaged 19.2 points per game on 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from 3 with 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks. But beyond these impressive stats, what makes him such a hyped prospect? I will go through a few areas that I think make him a potential star.
One of the reasons for the hype around Flagg is his potential. He is only 18 because he reclassified from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024. In the NBA, young prospects tend to do better than older prospects. This is because players can develop their skills under NBA coaching staff and by playing NBA basketball, which is much harder and more competitive than college basketball. Essentially, a younger player is a better long-term investment, and Flagg, who has performed exceptionally in college, could translate well to the NBA.
Flagg’s size and athleticism are also factors here. Flagg boasts a height of 6 feet 9 and a 6 feet 11 wingspan. His size makes him valuable on the defensive end. Throughout his time in high school and at Duke, Flagg has shown his ability to anchor the defense with his blocks and good speed for his height. When I watched his games, it was evident he was a great defender. His positioning and help defense are among his best attributes. And while he isn’t an explosive athlete like Zion Williamson and Lebron James, Flagg is still an excellent athlete. He is quick and has an impressive 40 inch vertical that allows him to contest shots, rebound, and elevate for shots.
On the whole, Flagg lacks any glaring weaknesses to his game. He is an all around player with elite defense and solid offense. As of now, Flagg has room for improvement in his ball handling and playmaking abilities, but players tend to improve upon those skills in the NBA. His shooting percentages at Duke, which started a little rough, improved quite a bit. At Duke, he has shown steady improvements to his game, which bodes well for his NBA career. I think that Flagg is deserving of the hype because his potential could be generational. However, like many prospects, it is uncertain if he can reach his projected ceiling.