Cooper Flagg, the 17-year-old basketball prodigy, is already turning the NBA world upside down. After all, he hasn’t even played his first official game with Duke University! On July 8, 2024, when he first walked into UNLV’s Mendenhall Center, it was hard to tell that the man exuding confidence was only 15 years of age. Flagg is considered the consensus favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. His selection to the Team USA select squad speaks volumes to his incredible talent as an amateur athlete.
During his time at the Team USA training camp, Flagg showcased those skills easily. He competed against the best basketball greats including Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. Coaches and players alike praised his performance. Flagg had 22 points against Team USA, decisively impacting the game and doing so with the demeanor of someone who truly wasn’t intimidated by the opposition.
Jamahl Mosley, the coach who happened to oversee Flagg’s development in this span, praised the CBS Sports first-team All-American for his inquisitive nature and calm demeanor.
“I think it’s huge for a young guy in this situation to be able to ask the right questions. He just wanted to understand what it looks like at the next level. He’s a communicator, and that said a lot to me about him. Guys like that with high basketball IQs that want to play the right way will ask questions.” – Jamahl Mosley
Beyond his admirable communication skills, Mosley pointed out Flagg’s confidence in taking on high-level competition.
“He wasn’t afraid of the moment and who he was going against,” – Jamahl Mosley
It didn’t always look like it, but coaches and scouts love Flagg’s poise for the moment. This remarkable quality sets him apart as he makes the move to the professional level of basketball.
“He was himself. I think he walked in with the quiet confidence, but then when he got on the court with those guys, that demeanor didn’t change any at all.” – Jamahl Mosley
In a warm-up game against Team USA, Flagg was the talk of the world. He elevated off the right wing and drilled an off-dribble three-pointer over Anthony Davis. His knack for scoring with poise was a memorable sight for viewers. Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, explained watching Flagg’s greatness in action.
“You immediately felt him. And it was as a basketball player. It wasn’t just like he had a huge dunk or something. No. It was the passing, the cutting, the late-clock, left-handed jump hook on the block when the offense had nothing else. It was so consistent.” – Steve Kerr
Kerr specifically called out Flagg’s elite understanding of the game. He displayed talent that’s beyond what you’d expect from someone his age.
“I’m coaching against him and we have the best players. He’s got incredible feel. He’s just huge but plays like a guard in terms of reading the game.” – Steve Kerr
Head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg’s maturity on the court, the way he dealt with tough situations going up against the professionals.
“He handled the situation as well as an 18-year-old could handle it,” – Jason Kidd
Flagg’s basketball odyssey most recently brought him to the Las Vegas Summer League. There, he played with the Mavericks and experienced up-and-down results over two games. Yet even so, he showed enough glimpses of greatness that had passionate fans and objective analysts alike dreaming on what he could be.
Flagg is again in Las Vegas for one final tune-up before his rookie season officially begins. He’s looking to prove himself again! This means he’ll be available to compete in the 76ers’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers. With a ton of hype and pressure on him, he looks to establish himself as the best player in next year’s loaded NBA draft class.
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