Flagg: ‘I was nervous’ to deal with LeBron, Team USA

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterJul 31, 2024, 01:54 PM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Cooper Flagg made appreciation as he dribbled through NBA All-Stars and made shots over future Hall of Famers during a scrimmage in between the United States select team and the males’s nationwide squad previously this month in Las Vegas.But before

that matchup against Team U.S.A., Flagg stated he had to soothe his nerves and “snap out of it,” specifically when he understood he ‘d have to fight among his idols– LeBron James.

“It was cool, an incredible experience,” Flagg stated throughout a look on “The Brotherhood Podcast,” hosted by his Duke colleague Caleb Foster. “Just having the opportunity to be there and just share the court with that level of talent and player, the people who’ve made that kind of name on their own. I’ve been watching them for several years, growing up.Editor’s Picks

2 Related “The very first day, for sure, I

was nervous. I didn’t understand what to believe. I got on the court, and I resembled, ‘Wow.’ I was securing LeBron in the corner. It type of simply hit me for a second, and I needed to snap out of it.”

However 17-year-old Flagg, a first-class hire for heaven Devils and ESPN’s projected No. 1 choice in the 2025 NBA draft, stated he grew more comfy once the game started. Throughout one sequence, Flagg dribbled off a screen and struck a 3-pointer over the outstretched hands of Lakers star Anthony Davis– a moment that went viral.

“I believe once I started into it, it was just playing basketball, and I think a lot of players share a comparable experience that once you begin playing, the nerves and stuff [vanish],” Flagg said. “Most of the players that can actually carry out at a high level, once the pointer goes up, everything disappears, for sure.”

Flagg led Montverde (Florida) Academy to a 30-0 season and national championship last season. College basketball fans will get their very first main peek of the phenom during Countdown to Insaneness on Oct. 4, according to an announcement Wednesday about Duke’s Midnight Madness preseason occasion.

” I got on the court and I resembled,’Wow.’I was securing LeBron in the corner,” Cooper Flagg said. “It type of just struck me for a 2nd and I needed to snap out of it.” Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Flagg will sign up with returnees Tyrese Proctor and Foster, along with grad transfer Mason Gillis and luxury prospect Khaman Maluach, in a quest for the Blue Devils’ 6th championship game and initially in the post-Mike Krzyzewski era.Flagg has gotten the most preseason buzz for a college basketball player given that Zion Williamson won the Wooden Award in his only season at Duke throughout the 2018-19 project. He credited former Duke star Grant Hill, managing director of USA Basketball, for offering him the chance to play with the select group and complete against Group USA.Flagg said

he’s preparing for his very first college season by dealing with his dexterity and quickness. He likewise said he intends to get a mental edge and is playing more golf and implementing yoga into his routine.

“I’m simply working on improving myself in manner ins which aren’t just physical,” he said.