Duke University freshman Cooper Flagg came into college basketball as the top recruit and is expected to be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In 17 games this season, the 6’9″ 18-year-old is averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. On Saturday he set the ACC freshman scoring record with 42 points, and is helping lead Duke to a 15-2 record and the third overall ranking in the country.
Halfway through what is expected to be his lone season in college basketball, Flagg has proven himself as an extremely well-rounded player. Despite his height, he can easily take the ball up in a facilitator role and jumpstart Duke’s offense. His passing has already improved throughout the year, and he’s showcased great decision-making while being the main focus of opponent’s defenses. He is averaging 2.6 turnovers per game, but as a freshman who has the ball in his hands as much as he does, it’s not something scouts should worry about just yet. He’s had five games with six-plus assists, and as Duke’s number one option, his passing has been a key to the team’s 80.9 points per game.
Scoring-wise, Flagg has shown he can score from anywhere on the court. His three-point shot is slowly coming into form, as he went four of six against Notre Dame in his 42-point performance. To start the season, his long-distance shot didn’t look great, but in January he shot 60% from deep on 3.75 attempts per game. He is also extremely athletic and hasn’t shied away from going up for big dunks against his ACC opponents.
Flagg has shown to be a well above-average free-throw shooter, as he’s gone 100% from the line in eight games so far this year. In his dominant performance against Notre Dame, he hit 16 of his 17 foul line shots, and is at 80.8% on the year. His success from the free throw line is just another bright spot in his game that isn’t shared by other players his size.
In terms of rebounding, Flagg has also shown to thrive in that aspect of the game. He’s hit double-digit rebounds in six games this season, and only gone with less than five in two games so far. Flagg’s 8.2 boards per game ranks third amongst freshmen in the country, only behind Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber and Arizona State’s Jayden Quiantance.
Flagg is also a pest on defense, averaging 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. His height and athleticism has helped in that aspect, but other players look uncomfortable when guarded by Flagg. By no means does he have the defensive presence of a player like Victor Wembanyama in the NBA, but it is certainly not a flaw in his game. Flagg has five games with at least three steals, and seven with at least two blocks.
Nearly halfway through the NBA season, five teams look like they’ll be vying for the top selection in the 2025 Draft. In order from best to worst, the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards are the only teams with ten or less wins. One of those teams is bound to get Flagg for next season, and he looks like he’ll fit well with any of those squads. Seeing that he is productive in all aspects on the floor, none of these teams are going to shy away from him, even if they already have a two-way forward.
Of those teams, Flagg would most likely be best suited on either New Orleans or Charlotte due to their high-speed play and willingness to get buckets on the fast break. He would no doubt be effective on Utah, Toronto, or Washington, but seeing Flagg run down the court with Zion Williamson or LaMelo Ball would be great entertainment for 82 games.
Obviously, whoever gets the first overall selection could trade out of it to another team, but Flagg looks like too exceptional of a prospect to pass up. Flagg’s talent ranks him as one of the best recruits in recent years, rivaling only Wembanyama, Williamson, and Anthony Davis as the best big men to be available in the draft. He’s made an immediate impact in college basketball, and all signs point to him doing the same thing in the NBA.
Flagg leads Duke in every major statistical category this season aside from shooting percentages. He leads the team in minutes and has played in all of their games. Proving not only to be efficient when he is on the court, but someone who you can trust will be ready to go every single night. Watching his games it is easy to see the difference he makes on the court, and his status as the best overall recruit makes perfect sense halfway through the college basketball season. There have been many instances when a top recruit doesn’t live up to the hype, but so far Flagg hasn’t fallen in that group.
He’s a great all-around player and looks like he will only get better as time goes on. This upcoming draft class is pretty loaded, but Flagg remains at the top of every single big board. Like with Williamson just a few years ago, Duke games are becoming must-watches for basketball fans, and it’s all because of Flagg.
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