Surprise from the Select Team who are playing the “sparring partners” of Team USA, to prepare for the Olympic Games. Cooper Flagg really impressed during scrimmages against his glorious elders.
The high school freshman who will head to Duke next season didn't flinch in front of the NBA veterans, even if there was a bit of admiration and nervousness.
“It was cool, an incredible experience”, explains the high school student. “Just having the opportunity to be there and be on the field with players of that talent, guys that have already made a name for themselves. Guys that I've watched for years, since I was a little kid.”
A nervousness that flies away as soon as the basketball starts
In this unique experience against the pros (and not just any pros), Cooper Flagg distinguished himself with several actions, including a 3-point basket against Anthony Davis or by going to challenge Jrue Holiday.
“The first day, I was obviously nervous. I walked out on the court and I was like, ‘Wow.’ I was defending LeBron (James) in the corner. It hit me for a second, and I had to pull myself together.”
Cooper Flagg is expected to be selected very high in the upcoming Draft, perhaps in the first position. But before that, he has a full college season to develop, with the goal of winning the first NCAA title after Mike Krzyzewski. No doubt that this stint with the Select Team will serve him well, including in stress management.
“Once you got going, it was just basketball, and a lot of players share a similar experience: once you start playing, the nerves and all that go away.”he assures. “Most players who can really play at a high level, when the game starts, it's certain that all goes away.”
