LeBron James praises Cooper Flagg ahead of NBA Draft, calls Duke star ‘amazing'
Cooper Flagg is the player to watch out for at the NBA Draft on Wednesday night. The Maine resident, who is the projected No. 1 pick in the draft, has grabbed attention after a phenomenal performance for Duke in college basketball. The 6-foot-9 is expected to go to the Dallas Mavericks, The Guardian reported. If chosen, Flagg will be the second-youngest No. 1 pick in history, just behind LeBron James, as per ESPN. File photo of Cooper Flagg(AP)
The 18-year-old became the first player in 25 years to tally 100 assists, 500 points and 30 blocks in a single ACC regular season. His performance helped the Blue Devils reach the ACC Championship as well as the Final Four, The Guardian reported. The outlet also added that Cooper Flagg has managed to avoid the animosity associated with many Duke players, such as JJ Redick and Grayson Allen.
Also read: Cooper Flagg girlfriend: Is Duke star dating Lola Ressler? LeBron James praises Cooper Flagg
In the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast, LeBron James said Cooper Flagg was 'going to be amazing,' ESPN reported. 'A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump," he added.
Comparing his situation with Cooper Flagg, LeBron James admitted that the Maine freshman would join a team with Hall of Fame guys like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, a benefit James himself did not get. The NBA legend said that Cooper Flagg could benefit from being in the company of such established players who could help him chart out his own path in the team. Cooper Flagg's pre-NBA Draft photoshoot
Ahead of the NBA Draft, Cooper and his Duke teammates Khaman Maluach and Kon Kneuppel participated in a photoshoot. A video shared by the NBA featured some light-hearted moments between the three players. FAQs: Why is Cooper Flagg so famous?
His performance for Duke in college basketball catapulted him into the public eye. Will Cooper Flagg be the youngest NBA player?
No, he will be the second-youngest. LeBron James was the youngest NBA pick. Why does Cooper Flag wear 32?
The forward wears a jersey with the number 32 because his mother wore the same number while playing basketball in high school
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
TNT Sports stepping away from NBA TV
TNT Sports will relinquish oversight of NBA TV operations, it was announced today by TNT Sports Chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser . After a 17-year run with TNT Sports, day-to-day operations will revert to the league on Oct. 1. "We made several proposals to continue to provide services and operate the NBA TV network and related digital assets," Silberwasser wrote in a memo to employees of the Warner Bros. Discovery cable unit, as reported by Sportico. "However, we were unable to agree on a path forward that recognized the value of our expertise, quality content and operational excellence that our fans and partners have come to expect from TNT Sports." In July 2024, the league announced a new 11-year agreement with the Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video to broadcast approximately 75 games on linear television in addition to all national games being available on streaming services. TNT's agreement called for a minimum of 15 games on broadcast television. TNT will continue to generate digital content for the league through Bleacher Report and House of Highlights and maintain editorial control of the Inside the NBA studio show. The highly popular program that features Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson will air on ESPN and ABC.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis welcomes new teammate Cooper Flagg after NBA Draft selection
Cooper Flagg (right) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA draft in New York. (Image via AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Anthony Davis joined the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year in February after being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Doncic. He has now taken it upon himself, one No. 1 overall pick to another, to welcome the new kid in the block. Dallas fans as well as the team are overjoyed with their latest "capture" and social media has been flooded with comments to kingdom come after Cooper Flagg was drafted to the Dallas Mavericks, and his welcome has been rightfully topping the charts. Anthony Davis has a special welcome message for Cooper Flagg The Dallas Mavericks won the lottery to secure the No. 1 draft pick of the season, and to no one's surprise, they selected Cooper Flagg. Flagg was considered to be the top contender for the spot from the very beginning, and the Mavs took full advantage of their position. After the draft selection, Mavericks star player Anthony Davis shared a special congratulatory message for his newest teammate, saying: "I still remember that time you hit that three over me in Vegas last summer. I got to get you back for that." Davis congratulated the youngster and told him to enjoy the night with his family and friends before saying he was eager to meet him and get to work with him. The two of them, alongside Mavs stars Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson could be a dangerous combination that could stir things up in the NBA in the upcoming season, and fans, especially the Mavs fans, can't wait for it. Cooper Flagg says he is blessed with all the opportunities Cooper Flagg became the No. 1 overall pick during the 2025 NBA Draft , and is now the newest member of the Dallas Mavericks team. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Acclaimed photographer Cristina Mittermeier's dynamic pictures inspire change Rolex Read Now Undo He will be playing Alongside veterans like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, who have seen it all in their long-standing career so far. On getting to play with them, Flagg said he would be like a sponge, soaking up anything he can from his experienced seniors. "Being able to be a sponge. They have been through so much and have so much knowledge." He further added: "I'm feeling really blessed and grateful to be in the situation I'm in. I'm going to soak it all in." Cooper Flagg will be a welcome addition to the team, who did not have a great run last season, especially after the unexpected trade that saw Luka Doncic moving to Los Angeles in a totally out of the blue situation. Fans can't wait to see what this new player brings to the table as the Mavs look to focus on making a turnaround in the upcoming season. Also Read: Masai Ujiri and Toronto Raptors part ways a day after 2025 NBA draft Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
NBA No.1 Draft Pick Cooper Flagg Embraces Mavericks Legacy, Aims To Lead Team To Success
Last Updated: Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 NBA draft pick, aims to lead the Mavericks to success, joining stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Cooper Flagg didn't wait for Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to break the silence at his introduction as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, addressing the packed Dallas news conference promptly at noon on Friday. At 18, the former Duke star appeared increasingly at ease just two days after being welcomed by Commissioner Adam Silver on stage in Brooklyn. Flagg showed respect for the legacy of European stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, the latter of whom was traded in February. Despite just a 1.8% chance, the Mavs remarkably secured the potential new face of their franchise. 'I'm just trying to come in and be the best I can be, and win at the highest level."Cooper Flagg on meeting lofty expectations 💪 — NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2025 Flagg will join a roster that includes NBA champions Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. While fellow Duke alum Irving, a nine-time All-Star, is recovering from a torn ACL and may not play until January, the Mavericks are aiming for a playoff return after missing out in 2025. This follows their NBA Finals appearance the previous year, where they were defeated by Boston in five games. Flagg was mindful of the franchise's history when asked about following in the footsteps of Nowitzki, who has a statue outside the arena, and Doncic, whose departure deeply affected many Mavs fans. The arrival of Flagg, the third one-and-done Duke player for Dallas, has surely lifted their spirits. 'I'm coming in just trying to learn and get better every single day," Flagg said. 'If I do that to the best of my ability, expectations and pressures will work themselves out. I'm just aiming to be the best I can be and win at the highest level." The 6-foot-9 Flagg's position on the court is an intriguing topic, as the Mavericks will lack a point guard until Irving returns. 'I want to put him at point guard," said coach Jason Kidd, who sat beside Flagg with Harrison on his other side. 'I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts." (with AP inputs)
