Similar to San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, several experts are projecting Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg as a game-changer for any NBA franchise. This claim comes after the young forward’s performance against Team USA drew a lot of raves recently.
Flagg, a potential top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made a lasting impression during the recent Team USA scrimmage. At just 17 years old, the young star held his own against seasoned NBA stars, such as Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry.

Flagg moved fluidly on the court, attacking the rim and knocking down perimeter shots with ease. He even took future Hall of Famers off the dribble for impressive dunks, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches. Orlando Magic’s Jamahl Mosley, who coached the select team, praised Flagg’s special talent, basketball IQ, and toughness, noting that he was “not afraid of those moments.”
Despite his initial awe at sharing the court with NBA legends Flagg quickly settled in and focused on competing. His confidence in his abilities shone through as he nearly led the select team to a victory, taking over the game with clutch baskets and a putback. The Olympians were quick to acknowledge Flagg’s potential, with Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker expressing his belief that the young player “wants to be great.”
This experience in Las Vegas has only reinforced Flagg’s promise as he heads to Duke this fall, where he is expected to be a dominant force and a potential top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Duke Blue Devils’ Cooper Flagg Receives Rave Reviews After Team USA Scrimmage

After his performance against Team USA, Flagg turned all the right heads around towards his direction. One such particular opinion comes from a video shared on X by SiriusXM NBA Radio featuring Ryan McDonough and Rick Kamla:
“If you get a Cooper Flagg, that would change your franchise”
🔊 Ryan McDonough and @RickKamlaSports discuss the potential #1 pick’s future after his performance last night in Vegas pic.twitter.com/FjlcEPQv0Y
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 9, 2024
As it stands, there are several teams that are projected to tank for the Duke Blue Devils star. Some of these include the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and Brooklyn Nets, among others. Of course, there’s still Flagg’s upcoming freshman year in college to see more of what he can do soon.

Even though he still has one year needed for college, fans and experts are already excited for Flagg’s NBA debut in 2025. And if his performance against Team USA is an indication, there’s a lot to look forward to when that time comes next year.

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