Cooper Flagg: The NBA star who made an impact before debuting.

Cooper Flagg: The New Promise of American Basketball Shines in the NBA

The young Cooper Flagg, at just 17 years old, made an immediate impact on the basketball world, even before officially debuting with Duke. His name resonated among NBA legends preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Flagg, considered the most promising prospect since LeBron James, proved his worth in a training session with Team USA, leaving established players speechless. On July 8, 2024, Flagg appeared at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV, capturing the attention of future Hall of Fame members preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The anticipation surrounding Flagg was enormous, and his performance in Team USA training was the ultimate test. Would he be intimidated by the stars he admired as a child? The answer was a resounding no.

Zero nerves. He came out and played very well.

Anthony Davis

Flagg, now with the Dallas Mavericks, prepares for his rookie season. The path to the NBA began 15 months ago, when he demonstrated his ability to impact the league, despite not yet being draft-eligible. He was already the favorite to be the first pick in the 2025 draft. His performance in training dispelled any doubts. He led a comeback that almost gave the select team the victory against the Olympic team, an achievement that only increased the expectation on his way to Duke. At Duke, he exceeded expectations, earning the Player of the Year award and leading the Blue Devils to an ACC title and the Final Four. Now, with the Mavericks, Flagg is expected to expand his game and prove to be a rookie capable of influencing the team’s success.

I definitely felt like I belonged. I knew I could be out there.

Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg, 17, caught the attention of several NBA players heading to the Paris Olympics after Flagg nearly led the select team to an upset against Team USA during a training session in July 2024.The Mavericks coach, Jason Kidd, upon studying Flagg’s videos at Duke, saw similarities to Grant Hill, another college star. Kidd observed the same combination of talent and strength in Flagg that Hill demonstrated early in his career.

He tries to play the complete game. He scores and has 22 points and doesn’t even seem like he was looking to score. He’s very unselfish. He defends. He just tries to do what’s necessary to win games.

Grant Hill

Kidd experimented with Flagg as a point guard in the Las Vegas Summer League, with mixed results. Despite a difficult start, Flagg demonstrated his impact in the victory against the Lakers. Flagg’s ability to handle pressure and direct the game convinced Kidd, who lined him up as a point guard in a preseason game. Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley highlighted Flagg’s intelligence and his ability to ask questions. Mosley was impressed by the dialogue between Flagg and Jalen Suggs about the complexities of NBA defense. In training, Flagg demonstrated his courage, not being intimidated by the competition. Flagg’s performance in training included a scoring streak, with standout shots against elite defenses. Steve Kerr, former Team USA coach, was impressed by Flagg’s control of the game and his ability to make the right decisions. Kidd shares the feeling of satisfaction. Flagg will debut in the NBA on October 22, when the Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs.