Cooper Flagg’s October 30 commitment to Duke put a stop to months of rumors, which was a major victory for coach Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils.
Here’s where the fun begins: imagining what Duke may gain from Flagg, the top recruit in the 2024 class, and evaluating his professional prospects through talks with NBA scouts. Since Zion Williamson in 2018, Flagg is the Blue Devils’ most anticipated recruit and will join Duke. Flagg, a Newport, Maine native, scored 22 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the state final as a freshman at Nokomis High School to win a state championship. From then on, his star power only increased.
At just 15 years old, Flagg played for USA Basketball’s Under-17 team at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 9.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.4 steals per game. He saved some of his best for the championship game, finishing with 10 points, 17 rebounds, eight steals and four blocks in a win over Spain.
Flagg, 16, has dominated games since that point. He has elite versatility, scores both inside and outside the arc and knows to facilitate when defensive attention is on him — breaking and attacking pressure has become common practice. Flagg finishes transition opportunities, competes on defense and is a standout shot blocker.
Along the way, he has moved up the ranks and performed in front of multiple NBA scouts at events. This summer, Flagg changed his class to 2024, and he was ranked as the top player in the class as well as the top player in the nation overall.
With an incredible summer on the showcase circuit, where he hit huge triple-doubles and made an impact on both sides of the floor, Flagg cemented his reputation. Flagg, who won MVP honors at the NBPA camp in June, developed as a playmaker and excelled at finishing through contact. When facing defensive pressure, he frequently found teammates with open chances behind the arc. He excelled in both the Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry programs. I witnessed first how Flagg brought a significant approach to the Curry Camp, where he was the best player on the court not named Stephen Curry.
In the EYBL, 61% of his team’s total offense was either produced, assisted, or scored by the 6-foot-9 forward. According to Synergy Sports, he averaged 6.8 blocks and 13.4 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes, which helped lead Maine United to the E16 finals.
According to Synergy Sports, he led the Border League, a separate preseason event, in offensive efficiency, shooting 76% from the field. His team recently won the Geico Top Flight Invite championship. Flagg is one of the few five-star players who only has one goal in mind when playing: winning.
He’s one of the few prospects who consistently dominates. Flagg is among the best rising seniors I’ve seen in a long time because of all of this.
Now let’s examine how he does it.
Report on scouting
For Flagg, the numbers only tell part of the tale. Although he only made 26% of his 3-pointers for his prep school, Montverde Academy, the previous year, he made 37% of them on nearly four times as many tries during 22 games in the E16 this summer. He practices what he is weak at.
Accurate readings are also provided by the eye test.
Flagg possesses every skill and strategy a basketball player could ask for. With an athletic build and a fluid stroke, he is a cunning playmaker. It’s difficult to choose just one player comparison because there are so many possible ones. Paul George and Mike Dunleavy spring to mind.
This past summer, he successfully made the mental shift from a scoring role to a facilitator role. He will now return to Montverde’s scoring lineup for the next campaign.
In his hands and with his teams, the ball gets less sticky as a facilitator. He is an excellent ball mover and assist producer who excels at reading play development and identifying the open player. Flagg is an eager passer who shows accuracy and touch. He will employ a quick touch pass in tight spaces and will recognize that his throw needs to travel at a faster pace if his teammate is far away.
His vertical bounce provides all the necessary explosiveness for a finisher, and on effort plays, he has a terrific second leap. Flagg has stepped up his strength and is more comfortable at finishing through contact.
Flagg, who runs with speed and effort taking long strides, looks the part, athletically. His vertical bounce is explosive, and he improved his body balance. Flagg has innate instincts on both ends that are almost impeccable.
He’ll also be a great locker room player capable of uniting a team due to his contagious competitiveness and unselfishness. He plays winning basketball on offense and is a committed, alert defender who takes it personal when he is scored on. His game is fun to watch and easy to play with.
His NBA future
Of course, someone with Flagg’s giftedness and traits has been the topic of considerable conversation among NBA personnel and evaluators.
“In addition to his obvious talent, he has a great IQ and feel for the game to go along with transferable NBA skills on both ends of the floor,” one NBA scout said.
“He’s a versatile three-level scorer that is so unselfish. He’s a multiple-effort defender that can protect the rim or go away from the ball. His toughness and competitive all-business approach can win you over as well.”
Another NBA scout broke down Flagg’s game through the lens of both a scout and college coach.
“Flagg has no weaknesses at the college level,” he stated. “He has improved significantly since the summer of last year. He is more physically fit, self-assured, forceful, and stronger. He is a special player who poses a threat on every possession because of his adaptability and ability to play multiple positions.”
What effect does that have on the professional game, then?
“It’s likely a point forward in the NBA,” the scout stated. “His scoring prowess will need to be highlighted, depending on his surroundings. He has LeBron’s wiring, which prioritizes making the proper move above racking up stats.”
Flagg is thought to have the inside track to the top choice in the 2025 NBA draft, according to another scout.
“It’s his to lose,” the man declared. “He could become a franchise.” player.
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