Some highlights, a good general impression, but also a certain margin for progress: here is what should generally be remembered from the beginnings of Cooper Flagg in college basketball.
In any case, this is what a panel of recruiters and NBA managers note about the Duke player, long announced as the favorite for the 2025 Draft, at ESPN. After ten matches played in the NCAA, the former high school glory has the right to his first appreciations. The results are positive and allow us to better understand the one after which several franchises will run, without too openly assuming it, in the coming months.
First point, which seemed to be a formality a few weeks ago: yes Cooper Flagg is still the big favorite in the race for the “first pick”, despite the emergence of Dylan Harper (Rutgers) at the start of the season.
“ At this point, Flagg is probably a notch below what Victor Wembanyama was, maybe even below Zion Williamson, but he's in the same category as Cade Cunningham and above Anthony Edwards or Zaccharie Risacher, these Draft number ones who were not sure to be called first » explains a manager of a Western Conference franchise.
A protean profile
A strong attacker, Cooper Flagg remains especially dominant for the moment when he can lead counterattacks where his size/skill cocktail wreaks havoc. Much more at the moment than his outside shooting, which is only 22.2% since the start of the season.
Which refines the classic comparisons with current or past players, without stopping on a single profile. His qualities with the ball in hand combined with his strengths in defense leave specialists with impressions of a young Grant Hill, Andrei Kirilenko, Franz Wagner or even Aaron Gordon, very different players.
“ Flagg is more of a forward than a winger » explains the GM of an NBA franchise. “ Some of the players you could compare him to in this position, Gordon or Wagner, don't have the same physical qualities. Gordon as a floor level fits, but Flagg seems to have a broader repertoire he could go to offensively. » « Grant (Hill) was not a good shooter when he arrived in the NBA » explains a recruiter from an Eastern franchise. “ He could shoot from 3-4 meters, play in transition, finished well in the circle. »
Not a “generational player” but already useful in the NBA?
With 15.9 points at 42.9%, 9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals, Cooper Flagg doesn't excel in any area but contributes almost everywhere.
“ If he couldn't make a shot and was just a finisher and transition player, he would still be taken in the top ten picks » assures a GM from the East to ESPN. “ He could play on any team today and be in the rotation because of what he does without scoring. »
“ Usually rookies are a disaster on defense, but he'll be good as soon as he arrives » assures another GM. “ People are attracted to big, play-making wingers, and he has the ability. It's not the best aspect of his game at the moment, but it will evolve because he's so young. »
At just 18 years old, the man who took part in the Team USA camp last summer must now work on his ability to create for himself, which he sometimes lacked, notably in the final defeat of Duke against Kentucky. The managers and scouts interviewed nevertheless praise the confidence he has in his game and his shooting, even if the percentages leave something to be desired.
“ I don't think he will be a 'generational' player, I think that word has been used too often » considers an executive at ESPN. “ But when you take a step back from this Draft, if he goes first, it doesn't matter if other players end up being better than him, no one will say it was a bad choice. »
