Get to know Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg sits down with Andy Katz to discuss this year's NBA Draft and what he brings to the table.
Overview
Cooper Flagg was the first freshman named Maine Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Nokomis Regional to the state title in 2021. Following the storybook season, he transferred to Montverde Academy and continued to dominate, winning the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and 2024 National High School Player of the Year. Flagg continued to collect awards in his lone collegiate season, including ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team and National College Player of the Year. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 30.6 minutes across 37 games. He was efficient in every phase, posting 48/84/39 shooting splits on 13.4 field-goal attempts, 3.6 3-point tries and 5.8 free-throw trips per game. Flagg was Duke’s best player all season, leading the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance before losing to the Houston Cougars.
Analysis
Flagg’s elite defensive versatility separates him from the rest of the 2025 class. He has the height, strength and instincts to play down low as a shot blocker, but he also has the quickness and athleticism to lock down on the perimeter. Plus, his motor never wanes on that end of the court. Offensively, Flagg, who put up elite numbers at Duke, is far from a polished prospect, but the potential is glaring. Flagg showed vast improvements early at the collegiate level and eventually emerged as Duke’s go-to offensive player in clutch situations. There’s nothing Flagg can’t do on a basketball court, which is why he’s the consensus No. 1 overall pick, but he’ll have to continue to improve to live up to his lofty expectations.
Quotable
“He’s a savant with the game. He just really has an amazing understanding for what’s required to win and how to elevate everyone around him.” — Duke coach Jon Scheyer
Some stats & tidbits
In 2024-25, Flagg became the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win the Wooden Award as the nation’s top player, joining Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson… Flagg’s favorite all-time player is Larry Bird and loves to study the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum on offense and the Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac on defense… Twin brother, Ace, a teammate throughout high school, is set to play at the University of Maine in 2025-26… Mother, Kelly (Maine), and father, Ralph (Eastern Maine Community College), also played college basketball
Projection
Flagg’s floor is higher than most projected No. 1 overall draft picks due to his defensive prowess and versatility, but if he’s able to unlock his full offensive potential, watch out. For his size, Flagg is an elite shooter, passer and ballhandler. However, compared to the elite shooters, passers and ballhandlers at the NBA level, Flagg still has plenty of room to grow. If he turns into a sharpshooter, Flagg could look like a more athletic Larry Bird (6-foo-9, 220 pounds) in a few years. If he focuses on his paint scoring and passing, Flagg may have an offensive game similar to Franz Wagner (6-foot-10, 220 pounds) or Scottie Barnes (6-foot-7, 225 pounds). If his 1-on-1 game flourishes at the next level, Flagg would likely start drawing comparisons to Jayson Tatum (6-foot-8, 229 pounds). Flagg will start from Day 1 and likely be a franchise player.
— Profile by RotoWire.com