‘He’s a basketball savant’: Cooper Flagg might thrive early at

• Jonathan Givony, ESPNOct 29, 2024, 09:55 AM ET

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Duke freshman Cooper Flagg will be the second-youngest college player ever prepared to the NBA when he’s picked in June (he will be 18 years, 186 days old).

With his 18th birthday coming on Dec. 21, Flagg isn’t even old sufficient to vote in the upcoming governmental election. He’s also entering a college basketball landscape that has actually never ever been older or more competitive, as NIL and instant eligibility by means of the transfer portal has permitted teams to fill up on physically mature, highly skilled upperclassmen.But even at such a young age, Flagg is the most hyped American freshman in years, equaling only Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James back in 2003 for attention and accolades got as a high school recruit.”I haven’t gone through this yet with a 17-year-old in this method,”Duke coach Jon Scheyer, who has actually had Flagg on campus given that June, told ESPN this month.”We’ve had 18-year-olds, we’ve had 19-year-olds.

However being 17, a year early– it’s going to be a process. He’s going to go through some ups and downs. He’s going to have a great season, however there will be moments where he needs to grow, and that’s what it’s all about. I have total belief when we step on the flooring that we have the best player on the court, immediately.” Flagg’s 9-point, 4-rebound, 3-assist, 21-minute trip in a preseason win Sunday versus Arizona State recommended as much. Flagg had some impressive moments demonstrating his two-way versatility, intensity and budding ability, but also some of the things he needs to work on with his shot production and shooting inconsistency, specifically on a stacked Duke team that is clearly the most skilled lineup in college basketball.Other NBA players have actually remained in Flagg’s shoes at such a young age– Tim Duncan at Wake Forest, GG Jackson II at South Carolina and even Shaquille O’Neal at LSU.What can those players’ profession arcs teach us about Flagg’s future, and how does his distinct on-court game provide itself to exceedingly

high expectations?Let’s put all that history into context through an NBA draft lens, beginning with a look at past contrasts.