Duke basketball freshman Cooper Flagg has shortly change into one of the vital talked-about gamers in school basketball, however former NBA star Gilbert Arenas stays unconvinced about Flagg’s potential as a high-level prospect. Whereas Flagg has impressed along with his early highlights and versatile play, Arenas argues that he doesn’t see him turning into a celebrity on the subsequent degree.
In a latest episode of Gil’s Area, the previous NBA Star stated that Flagg would solely be a great second or third possibility.
Cooper Flagg might be a second or third possibility in accordance with Arenas
“With the primary decide, he’s going to be a fantastic, nice second or third possibility kind of participant. He’s going to be a 4 man, he’s going to be a decide & pop kind of man however relying on what workforce he goes to. Proper now as a result of he’s 17 placing the ball in his hand and saying you’re going to be our celebrity carry us, I don’t know if he’s prepared for that but.”
Earlier than the 2024-2025 school basketball season tipped off, Cooper Flagg was already being projected as the highest decide in NBA mock drafts. The 6-foot-9 standout from Montverde Academy, recognized for his viral highlights, was extensively considered the highest prospect of the 2024 freshman class.
Gilbert Arenas lately had the prospect to observe Cooper Flagg play in particular person, and he shared his ideas on what the freshman nonetheless must develop.
“When he tried to bought and do one thing he struggled, he couldn’t get by anyone. All his offense got here from swing, swing then assist, he’s open,” stated Arenas.
Arenas’ comparability of Cooper Flagg to some NBA stars
Arenas likens Flagg to a participant corresponding to Draymond Inexperienced or a “Tim Duncan with out the dominance.” He emphasizes that Inexperienced, whereas an vital contributor, usually performed because the third possibility all through his profession.
“He’s my second or third possibility. If I’m telling him to be the subsequent kind of GOAT man that we’re going to feed our offense by, I can’t see it proper now. For those who put him on a fantastic workforce, he’s your good participant as a result of he’s going to do every little thing,” Gilbert Arenas continued.
The NBA vet then in contrast him to a Spurs legend, “In case your workforce is already prepared, he’s just like the Tim Duncan with out the dominance of him. He’s just like the Tim Duncan to the Spurs. You set him in. you match him in, and he’ll determine it out. He could possibly be a Draymond Inexperienced kind. Draymond Inexperienced with a greater offensive talent,” he continued.
Cooper Flagg and Duke basketball in opposition to Kansas
Associated Duke Basketball InformationArticle continues beneath
Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils confronted considered one of its hardest assessments of the 2024 season in opposition to the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks simply earlier than Thanksgiving.
The sport lived as much as the hype as Duke basketball mounted a comeback from an early deficit and almost pulled off the win. Nonetheless, Kansas held on for a 75-72 victory.
Flagg’s efficiency in opposition to Kansas’ robust protection was noticeable. He completed with simply 13 factors and 5 assists, a major drop from his season averages of 17.8 factors and eight.8 rebounds.
Although it is nonetheless early within the 2024-2025 school basketball season, Flagg is already projected to be the consensus No. 1 decide within the upcoming NBA Draft.
Flagg’s place as the highest draft prospect locations him forward of different notable freshmen corresponding to Kon Knueppel, V.J. Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and Tre Johnson. Except for worldwide gamers, the consensus top-10 prospects for the upcoming draft are all freshmen.