Cooper Flagg‘s highschool profession spanned two states on the other ends of the Jap Seaboard and it was nothing in need of spectacular.
But, as of at this time, it means nothing for the reason that greatest 12 months of Flagg’s basketball life is rapidly approaching.
To say that the No. 1 participant within the 2024 nationwide recruiting class “nonetheless has so much to show” could be a ridiculous assertion below regular circumstances. However, Cooper Flagg is not regular.
The 6-foot-9, 195-pound ahead has been billed as a generational expertise since his highschool profession started. He is dominated in Maine, Florida and in all places in between. He is thought of a one-in-a-lifetime athlete.
Do not imagine me? Properly, simply check out Duke’s present roster reformation.
The Blue Blood Blue Devils are not any stranger to huge commitments and No. 1 recruiting lessons. Simply in latest reminiscence, we are able to rattle off a number of highly-touted highschool gamers like who dominated at Duke earlier than turning into NBA lottery picks: Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Marvin Bagley Jr., Jabari Parker. The record goes on.
None have created the commotion that Flagg has.
Flagg’s dedication to Duke ripped by means of Cameron Indoor Stadium like a coastal Carolina wind, clearing the way in which for his arrival. Many members of the “The Brotherhood” had been pressured to face the music — a seemingly unstoppable pressure is descending on Duke and it wants area to land. Seven gamers from Duke’s 2024 Elite Eight group, together with promising forwards Mark Mitchell and Sean Stewart, entered the switch portal. Whereas the surface-level causes could have different, the foundation reason for their exit is Flagg. A participant of his magnitude wants a group to be constructed round him and everybody on the roster has to purchase into this idea.
In return, new portal finds like sharpshooter Mason Gillis from Purdue can area the ground for Flagg. Maliq Brown from Syracuse is anticipated to be shot within the arm for Duke as a gritty, two-way participant who can kind a frontcourt wall on protection with Flagg. Rising sophomore Caleb Foster shall be thrust into the highlight as one in all Duke’s few returning items together with Tyrese Proctor, who determined to forgo the NBA Draft and lean into what’s taking place in Durham.
As Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils employees cobble collectively a roster that enhances Flagg, the ante has been upped. His one 12 months in Durham shall be a prove-it marketing campaign. Duke has constructed a win-now group. Flagg has all of the chips. It is all on his shoulders.
He is aware of it and everybody related to this system is aware of it.
Jared McCain, a former Duke freshman and present NBA prospect, acknowledged the elephant within the room whereas speaking to 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter on the NBA Mix.
“The individuals transferring in school, they’ve already confirmed themselves on the school stage,” McCain stated when discussing school’s NIL panorama. He then piled a heap of reward (or strain) onto Flagg.
“Shoutout my man Cooper Flagg — I feel he’ll be the most effective participant in school.”
McCain is barely saying what everyone seems to be considering. Actually, by acknowledging the shadows, he might need taken among the weight off Flagg’s shoulders.
Now, nobody is tip-toeing round the truth that there’s considerably of a goal on Flagg’s again. Even when he is not the most effective participant in school basketball subsequent season, he’ll be judged as if he’s. Flagg is supposed to be school basketball’s most electrical presence since Zion was leaping out of his sneakers. Proper now, he is penciled in as both choose No. 1 or 2 within the 2025 NBA Draft class and he alprepared being hailed as a savior for NBA draftniks, aloe for the unhealthy sunburn that’s the 2024 draft class. The parents struggling by means of sloppy scrimmage after sloppy scrimmage on the NBA Mix this week no less than have Flagg to look ahead to.
“Flagg is an elite two-way participant who makes for the most effective defender within the class,” says 247Sports’ Travis Branham, who pits Flagg in a battle with Rutgers-bound guard Ace Bailey to go No. 1 in 2025. “He is additionally a flexible offensive weapon that can be utilized in a wide range of roles. Flagg wins in all places he goes and he is prepared to do no matter it takes to contribute to a profitable group. … If Flagg hits, then a franchise will get a cornerstone participant who shall be a multi-year NBA All-Star.”
If he is not already, Flagg will quickly be a multimillionaire. Not a foul life. However there’s a whole lot of strain, too.
Flagg may carry Duke and its heavy historical past again to the mountaintop to present the Blue Devils their first championship of the Scheyer period, swinging school basketball’s pendulum again from tremendous seniors to diaper dandies. Or he may fail to satisfy expectations — as many prime recruits have completed so lately — and additional show that there is a huge distinction between an incredible school participant and a generational professional prospect (do not take the strays personally, Messrs. Edey, Timme and Tshiebwe).
Scheyer and Duke want Flagg to be pretty much as good as all of us suppose he’s. For the sake of basketball, it would be much more enjoyable that method.