Duke freshman Cooper Flagg might have to return for another college season if he wanted to go No. 1 in an NBA draft. At least if Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George was picking.
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey and Flagg should go early in June’s draft. Bailey, a freshman from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is averaging 18 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists for the Scarlet Knights this season.
The No 2. Blue Devils (27-3) are having a better season than Rutgers (14-16). Flagg has help around him that Bailey does not. Still, Flagg is averaging 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his first season in Durham, North Carolina.
Rutgers’ Ace Bailey over Cooper Flagg?
During a February episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the veteran forward argued why he’d take Bailey over Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.
“I would probably go Ace Bailey,” Paul said of picking between Flagg and Bailey. “I think Ace Bailey is a little bit more raw talent. I think he can scratch a little bit more off of his surface than Cooper Flagg can, which I think both will be All-Stars.
“Both will be superstars, you know, once they develop, you know, and get to the NBA. I think both of them will be superstars. I think it will be a Magic Johnson, Larry Bird comparison in terms of similar body types and the parity between those two.”
Flagg is certainly looking more polished this season. At six-foot-nine, 205 pounds, the guard can tower over his opponents and make big plays in college.
Bailey could develop his talents further in the NBA and have a career that can rival Flagg.
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