Cooper Flagg had as good of a year as any college freshman ever. Flagg did not win a National Championship but he accomplished every other possible achievement. Now, it is time for Cooper Flagg to head to the NBA Draft.
Cooper Flagg 2025 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Flagg had as good of a freshman year as any recent superstar. He won ACC Player of the Year, All-ACC Defensive Team, National Freshman of the Year, and swept National Player of the Year awards. Additionally, he led Duke to the Final Four.
While in Durham, Flagg averaged 19.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game. He averaged 1.4 steals per game and 1.4 blocks per game. Ultimately, this should be high school freshman led his team in every statistical category. There were numerous games where Flagg broke some sort of Duke and/or freshman record, including a 42 point outburst against Notre Dame right after people mentioned he was not a good scorer. Statistically, Blue Devil fans and Jon Scheyer could not have asked for more.
Strengths
Flagg’s main strength is that he is incredibly talented across multiple disciplines. He led his team in scoring, rebounds, and assists as a 6’9 early enrollee on a top team. It’s tough to be that well-rounded at such a young age with a huge target on your back. Being able to impact winning in numerous different ways is incredibly important to earning minutes on the court. It also can really help to hide some weaknesses. With that, Cooper Flagg has a motor that just will not quit. Whether he is up 40 or down 10 his energy and effort is the same.
Flagg’s defense is as good as it gets. He can guard 1-4 and is a menace in passing lanes. He is an active defender with great hands who finds the ball often. With that, he ends possessions getting way up for rebounds and starts fastbreaks on his own. In the NBA, he will have no problem guarding any of the elite guards or wings that terrorize defenses. It also is rare that someone excels in help-side and on-ball defense like Flagg. His impact on the defensive end alone would make him a lottery pick.
Playmaking is so easy for Flagg. Whether he is initiating a PNR, operating out of the high post/nail, or playing with his back to the basket, defenses are in danger. Charles Barkley could not stop talking about how good a passer Flagg was. Duke was blessed with a great offense so that made Flagg’s job easier. The two-man game Flagg ran with Kon Knueppel was a great foreshadowing of what to expect in the NBA. Flagg excels in the short role department and puts defenses in a tough spot from the nail as he can kick opposite for a three or throw a lob to the big. He also does well as the ballhandler with a big involved or with a guard in a ghost action. His usage was 31% but he only averaged 2 turnovers per game as well.
Cooper Flagg dunk of the year candidate?pic.twitter.com/MqNtgTiDqN
— Happy Hour Hoops (@happyhourhoops1) January 8, 2025
Weakness
While Flagg does have great playmaking ability, he can struggle as a ball handler. Most people likely remember Flagg’s turnovers vs Kentucky, Kansas, and Clemson. All of which occurred while trying to spin which is his patented move. Flagg can get a little loose with his dribble on these spins and the ball ends up far away from his frame. Additionally, Flagg has minimal (but increasing) ballhandling moves. His go-to separator is a left-side step three. Developing more moves and counter moves will go a long way.
Similarly, one question mark for Flagg will be clutch time. The turnovers vs Clemson, Kansas, and Kentucky mentioned above all came with the game on the line. He also missed the potential game winner vs Houston. It is likely unfair to label Flagg with the choker moniker based on those plays but the question will remain. For fairness sake, Flagg had an incredible sequence vs Clemson just to get the game tied late prior to the turnover and he was excellent vs Houston.
Player Comparison
Jayson Tatum. Flagg has all the tools just like Tatum. He has the size and frame and can easily defend all positions. He has a well-rounded offensive game as both a playmaker and a scorer. Additionally, Flagg is most comfortable in the midrange and prefers left side-step threes. It feels like an easy comparison to make. Grant Hill is another easy comparison given the Brotherhood blood lines.
NBA Draft Projection
First overall pick. Next question.
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