“ He looks like a hell of a player. He's 17 and he comes in here playing almost like a veteran. No emotion. He just goes out there and does his job. That's a good sign. ” The compliment is signed Kevin Durant and aims Cooper Flagg.
The high school student invited to Team USA's training camp for the Paris Olympics made an impression. Like his 3-point stepback in front of Anthony Davis, the future Duke player showed his confidence in the game.
However, he does not hide it: ” I was nervous of course. » Nervous about facing so many big names in the league and being the first college player since… Marcus Smart and Doug McDermott, in 2013, to be selected for an American preparation.
” But as soon as I stepped on the field, most of the pressure I was feeling or anything else I was thinking about disappeared. It was a great opportunity and a great experience to be able to share the field with players of that level. “, describes Flagg at Yahoo Sports.
Confirm with Duke
It should be remembered that the winger had already rubbed shoulders with several members of Team USA. Last summer, he participated in the camps, by invitation only, of Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry.
” Being at Tatum's camp last year and playing 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 with a full team of pros definitely helped me. It helped me gain confidence. At the end of the day, it's just about having confidence in myself and what I can do. “, summarizes the young man, expected to be number 1 in the 2025 Draft.
Before that, he will have to confirm his potential during his university season with the prestigious Duke, where expectations are always higher than elsewhere.
” I don't think we'd want it any other way. It's like that every year, we want it to continue. I think taking on that role, having a target on our backs and using it to bring us together, is going to bring us closer together collectively. We're going to learn a lot and get better because of it. ” he imagines.
There is no doubt that this time at the heart of “Team USA” will help him in this regard.
