Cooper Flagg is only 17 years old, but the Duke commit impressed NBA coaches and players during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas on Monday.
Multiple reporters praised the teen as he matched up against NBA superstars preparing for this month’s Olympic Games in Paris.
“Cooper Flagg is dominating this USA scrimmage,” the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach wrote on X.
Highlights on social media showed the 6-foot-9 Flagg shooting a three-pointer over Lakers forward Anthony Davis and completing a put-back over Heat center Bam Adebayo.
Flagg is the youngest player on the U.S. select roster, a group of players helping Team USA prepare for international competition.
“He kicked butt here,” U.S. select team coach Jamahl Mosley said. “There’s a respect factor for what he’s done. People who have not seen him play, as he gets himself going within the game, they quickly see what he can do.”
Analysts expect Flagg to be the top prospect in next year’s NBA draft if he maintains this level of play at Duke. For now, the Maine native says he appreciates the opportunity to play against NBA competition.
“I’m just really blessed that I was able to come out and capitalize on it and show what I have,” Flagg said. “I was really grateful to come out and learn. That was the biggest thing for me, just being able to learn and grow, to share a gym with all of these great, great names. Legends. So, I’m just truly blessed.”
This year’s star-studded Team USA features LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry. The squad opens Olympic play against Serbia on July 28.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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