Cooper Flagg garnered significant praise for his impressive display during a recent scrimmage in Las Vegas, where he skillfully maneuvered past NBA All-Stars and made shots over future Hall of Famers while playing against the United States select team.
Before this high-profile game, Flagg revealed he had to overcome a surge of nerves, particularly when he realized he’d be up against one of his heroes, LeBron James.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” Flagg recounted on “The Brotherhood Podcast,” hosted by his Duke teammate Caleb Foster. “Just being there and sharing the court with players who have achieved so much was surreal. I’ve been watching these guys for years.” Flagg added, “The first day, I was definitely nervous. When I found myself guarding LeBron in the corner, it really hit me, and I had to snap out of it.”
Despite being only 17, Flagg, a five-star recruit for Duke and ESPN’s projected No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA draft, settled into the game quickly. During one memorable moment, he dribbled off a screen and nailed a 3-pointer over Lakers star Anthony Davis, an event that rapidly went viral.
“Once I got into the rhythm of the game, it felt like just playing basketball,” Flagg said. “A lot of players go through the same experience—once the game starts, the nerves tend to disappear.” He explained that for high-level performers, the anxiety usually fades once the action begins.
Flagg led Montverde Academy to a flawless 30-0 season and a national championship last year. College basketball fans will get their first official glimpse of him at Duke’s Countdown to Craziness event on October 4, kicking off the Blue Devils’ Midnight Madness preseason festivities.
Flagg will join returning players Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster, along with grad transfer Mason Gillis and five-star recruit Khaman Maluach, as they aim for Duke’s sixth national title and their first since Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.
The attention Flagg has received this preseason mirrors the hype that surrounded Zion Williamson before his standout, award-winning season at Duke in 2018-19. Flagg credited former Duke star Grant Hill, now managing director of USA Basketball, for giving him the opportunity to compete with the select team and face off against Team USA.
In preparation for his college career, Flagg is working on enhancing his agility and quickness. He is also focusing on mental preparation, incorporating golf and yoga into his routine to round out his training.
“I’m working on improving myself in ways that go beyond just physical conditioning,” he noted.
