LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg is leaving Las Vegas because the discuss of the now-concluded Staff USA coaching camp.
Flagg, 17, an incoming freshman at Duke and an early favourite because the No. 1 decide of the 2025 NBA Draft, shouldn’t be on the group headed for Paris and a potential fifth Olympic gold medal. However he was one of the best participant on the choose group and probably the most constant gamers on the court docket throughout three scrimmages over the past three days in opposition to the nationwide group of stars.
“Cooper Flagg was unbelievable,” stated Jim Boylen, assistant coach for each the choose group and the Indiana Pacers. “He’s not scared.”
Cooper Flagg recovers for the slam 💪
Choose Staff vs. Nationwide Staff Scrimmage 🍿 pic.twitter.com/IXbb9vDrgK
— NBA Future Begins Now (@nbafuturenow) July 7, 2024
“He confirmed no worry,” stated Jalen Duren, middle for the Detroit Pistons and the choose group. “He got here and labored exhausting every single day. You’ll suppose he’s already right here, you understand what I imply?”
Added Jaime Jaquez Jr., a choose group participant who additionally performs for the Miami Warmth: “Coop was taking part in out of his thoughts.”
“He desires it, you see how dangerous he desires it,” stated Devin Booker of the U.S. nationwide group.
That was only a sampling.
A closing factors tally for Flagg was not instantly accessible, however U.S. coaches and executives estimated Flagg scored between 14 and 17 factors in a slender 74-73 loss to Staff USA on Monday. And within the portion of the scrimmage open to the media, Flagg drained a nook 3 after which executed an audacious putback over the American protection to place the choose group forward 69-68 with lower than 2 minutes left. Flagg missed the following free throw.
Staff USA gained due to consecutive 3s by Booker after which Jrue Vacation (who was tasked with guarding Flagg — a praise to the Duke freshman as a result of Vacation is likely one of the greatest defenders within the NBA). Anthony Davis swatted away Brandin Podziemski’s potential game-winning shot on the buzzer.
Considered one of Flagg’s 3s got here in opposition to Davis, which Jaquez stated was retribution from a block Davis registered on Flagg in Sunday’s scrimmage.
“At the moment, he got here proper again and hit it in his face,” Jaquez stated. “Proper after that he obtained the and-1 putback, so these few performs, and he obtained a steal in there. He was unbelievable at the moment.”
Cooper Flagg pulls up from 3 with confidence vs. #USABMNT! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Ub9vMo6Eit
— NBA Future Begins Now (@nbafuturenow) July 8, 2024
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 ahead, is the primary school participant to take part in a Staff USA coaching camp since Marcus Sensible and Doug McDermott in 2013. He isn’t the primary choose group participant to disrupt a USA coaching camp by shining as brightly because the group of stars. As an illustration, final 12 months Cade Cunningham drew related opinions.
However Cunningham had already been within the NBA for 2 seasons, and a part of why his choose group stint drew such reward was as a result of he was coming off a knee damage that had price him most of his second season in Detroit.
Flagg is, effectively, not sufficiently old to vote. However his competitiveness belies his youth.
“I simply suppose that he’s obtained a aggressive hearth, and he’s not afraid of anybody and he’s gonna go at you,” stated Trayce Jackson-Davis, the 24-year-old Golden State Warriors massive man who’s coming off of his rookie season. “You want that as a participant. And while you’re already like that, and also you’re 17, the sky’s the restrict.”
The choose group was dismissed after Monday’s observe, because the nationwide group may have a walk-through on Tuesday and play Canada in an exhibition recreation on Wednesday night time in Las Vegas earlier than flying to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Duke coach Jon Scheyer and two of his assistants had been in Las Vegas to look at Flagg, as had been Flagg’s mother and father.
Flagg was a member of the USA under-17 group that gained gold on the World Cup in 2022. This previous season, as a senior at Montverde Academy in Florida, he was the Gatorade and the Naismith Boys’ Nationwide Participant of the 12 months in highschool.
All are lofty accolades, however not fairly the identical as holding his personal in opposition to NBA champions, Olympic gold medalists and all-time main scorers.
“As soon as the ball goes up, I’m simply attempting to win always,” Flagg stated, explaining why he was not awestruck by his environment in Las Vegas regardless of his age. “I’m only a competitor, and that’s what it boils right down to. It’s a bit of little bit of an adjustment, being on the court docket with them, however on the identical time I’m simply taking part in basketball and attempting to be taught.”
Cooper Flagg sinks the gorgeous turnaround jumper!
Choose Staff vs. Nationwide Staff Scrimmage 🍿 pic.twitter.com/TF3DX9VLa1
— NBA Future Begins Now (@nbafuturenow) July 8, 2024
In quite a few interviews, USA workers and choose group gamers gushed over Flagg’s expertise and measurement. But additionally his psychological capability.
“He’s obtained that confidence about himself that he’s not afraid of moments, and I feel that’s massive for younger youngsters, particularly somebody his age,” stated choose group and Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.
Langston Galloway, a former NBA participant and longtime USA Basketball participant who serves as a observe participant for the nationwide group, turned an on the spot fan of Flagg’s recreation.
“I’m not even impressed in regards to the scoring and all that; I’m extra impressed about his poise,” Galloway stated. “He’s not on the market attempting to power it like, ‘It’s my flip now. Let me attempt to get a shot up.’ He’s attempting to make performs. You’ll be able to see he understands the sport. Get within the paint, all people collapses, making the proper reads. In order that’s probably the most spectacular a part of it, for a 17-year-old to have the ability to perceive the sport.”
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Boylen, a former head coach within the NBA and likewise a previous coach of USA groups, stated Flagg would make a superb participant on the worldwide stage. After this summer season, the boys’s nationwide group gained’t be in motion once more till the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
By the point the following Olympics roll round, Flagg will probably have three years of NBA service underneath his belt.
“He has versatility, he has place measurement, he’s a sensible participant and he embraces contact,” Boylen stated.
Flagg confirmed he’s taken with a World Cup look in three years if his recreation continues to develop.
“That’s one thing I’m striving for, simply attempting to be one of the best I can and, if I can obtain that after which be part of the World Cup group in two years, I imply, that’s one other aim on my listing,” Flagg stated. “I’m simply working and attempting to get higher every single day.”
LeBron x Cooper Flagg 🤝
Choose Staff vs. Nationwide Staff #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/OoYRIKQdtt
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2024
Galloway left the Flagg expertise understanding why consultants say Flagg will go first within the subsequent NBA Draft.
“I feel at the moment was a solidifier (exhibiting) the place he’ll be at subsequent 12 months,” Galloway stated. “This 12 months he’ll be at Duke. However subsequent 12 months, you see the place he’ll be at.”
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(Picture of LeBron James and Cooper Flagg: Ethan Miller / Getty Photographs)