NBA ‘Gets to Know’ Duke Basketball One-And-Done Cooper Flagg…
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, all eyes are on Duke’s standout freshman Cooper Flagg. The 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, is projected by many to be the No. 1 overall pick, and his meteoric rise through high school and college ranks has captivated the basketball world. With his one electrifying season at Duke, Flagg has made it clear he is not just the future of the NBA—he’s its next potential superstar.
Flagg’s basketball journey began in Maine but took a national turn when he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, a powerhouse known for developing elite talent. There, Flagg dominated both ends of the floor, earning National High School Player of the Year honors and leading his team to a national title. His stints with USA Basketball only added to the hype, culminating in his being named the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year—an honor rarely bestowed upon a high school junior.
When Flagg committed to Duke in October 2023, the college basketball world buzzed with anticipation. He lived up to the hype immediately, posting impressive numbers throughout the 2024–2025 season. He averaged 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while also becoming one of the most feared defenders in the country. A standout moment came in a February matchup against Notre Dame, where Flagg dropped 42 points, setting a new scoring record for ACC freshmen.
Scouts have praised Flagg’s versatility and advanced understanding of the game. Offensively, he’s a three-level scorer who can create his own shot, shoot from deep, and finish through contact. Defensively, his instincts are elite; he routinely alters shots, defends multiple positions, and rarely gets caught out of position. Comparisons to NBA stars like Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant have become common, but some experts suggest his defensive prowess gives him a ceiling all his own.
Off the court, Flagg is also leading the way in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era. He made history by signing a groundbreaking deal with Gatorade, becoming the brand’s first-ever NIL partner from men’s college basketball. He also inked a major shoe endorsement deal with New Balance, solidifying his status as a marketable and influential figure before even playing a professional game.
The NBA has certainly taken notice. With the Dallas Mavericks holding the No. 1 overall pick, a recent leak on the team’s website showing Flagg in a Mavericks jersey only fueled speculation that the franchise plans to make him their future cornerstone. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has even weighed in, calling Flagg “a once-in-a-generation two-way talent.”
In just one season at Duke, Cooper Flagg has shown he has the skills, mindset, and poise to become the face of an NBA franchise. As the draft looms, the league is ready to welcome a new star—and Cooper Flagg seems more than ready to rise to the occasion.
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