Cooper Flagg's reputation has only grown this week after he took the court alongside future Hall of Famers as part of the 2024 USA Basketball Class of 2024.
Flagg, projected to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and set to play at Duke University next season, drew attention during a scrimmage between the All-Star team and the U.S. national team on Monday, so much so that one NBA coach named him the All-Star team's Most Valuable Player.
Was Cooper Flagg the best player on the U.S. National Team? Yes, according to one current NBA head coach in attendance.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 8, 2024
That's a high mark considering there are 12 current NBA players on the selected team, including Orlando Magic star Jalen Suggs, Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard and Sacramento Kings shooter Keegan Murray.
“Cooper was playing like crazy,” Miami Heat forward Jamie Jaquez Jr., also a member of the Select Team, said Monday. [h/t The Athletic].
“He showed no fear,” Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren said. “He came every day and worked hard. You'd think he'd be here by now, you know?”
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 small forward from Maine, is the No. 1 ranked rookie in the United States. Flagg showed glimpses of elite potential during a scrimmage against the U.S. team, including a three-pointer over Anthony Davis and coming within one point of a missed three-pointer by Murray.
Cooper Flagg is real pic.twitter.com/Os1d0bbP71
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 8, 2024
With just under a year until the 2025 NBA Draft, is it too early for teams to start bolstering their forces in pursuit of the top pick?
