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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas reveals what he likes best about projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg is on the verge of becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and the National College Player of the Year recently earned praise from ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. The 6-foot-8 forward established himself as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games on both ends of the court. Bilas, speaking on the "Awful Announcing" podcast with Brandon Contes, named his favorite trait about Flagg. The one thing that stands out about Cooper Flagg, to me, above all others, and we can talk about the attributes -- physically, athletically, how he shoots it, how he handles it, how he passes it and how he defends -- but the thing I like about him best is he is not one who is interested in numbers. What he does is he makes the right play on that play and then he winds up stacking the right play over and over again and then by the end of the game, he has compiled really impressive numbers. Flagg entered the season with tremendous expectations as the consensus top recruit in the class of 2024. He was highly touted as the likely top pick in the draft and lived up to the hype after becoming the face of the sport this past season. The 18-year-old led the Blue Devils in total points (709), rebounds (277), assists (156) and blocks per game. He is highly regarded for his ability to process plays in real-time and his decision-making with the ball in his hands, while also constantly adding new skills to his arsenal. After trading away cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Dallas Mavericks hope Flagg can step in and be their long-term solution. Should Flagg indeed hear his name called first on Wednesday, the ACC Freshman of the Year will become the sixth Blue Devil to be selected as the top pick. "I think he is the best freshman Duke has ever had, and that is saying something given the freshmen that Duke has had over the last 30-40 years, maybe even beyond that," Bilas said. "He is barely 18 years old right now, and the polish and maturity he shows... People talk about will Dallas trade the pick, I just can't imagine a scenario where you trade that because he is the future for them."
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cooper Flagg draws comparison to LeBron James by former NBA champion
Cooper Flagg draws comparison to LeBron James by former NBA champion Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is a highly-touted prospect entering the 2025 NBA draft, and the National College Player of the Year recently earned a comparison to LeBron James. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to the likes of Grant Hill, Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum. Former 12-year NBA veteran and champion Brian Scalabrine, speaking Tuesday on the "Dan Patrick Show," said Flagg reminds him of James based on how he processes the game mentally. Scalabrine revealed that he previously spent time training Flagg when he was entering high school in Maine. He was impressed with how quickly he was able to add new skill sets to his game at such a young age and how he still has that trait now, as he is on the verge of entering the NBA. I think it is LeBron James without having to be 260 pounds and a freight train. Cooper Flagg is a supercomputer. Everything you tell him, within 24 hours, he figured it out. The next time you tell him something else, (he figures it out). ... I've been around a lot of players. I've been around Hall of Fame players, I've never met someone who can just pick up things at such a high rate. When people talk about NBA players (not making it), a lot of it has to do with their computer and processor. He just processes on a rate that I've never seen before, so I'm only assuming that it's like LeBron James. Flagg established himself as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games on both ends of the court. Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski even called him the best freshman to ever play with the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-8 forward is expected to join the Dallas Mavericks on June 25 after reportedly meeting with the organization this week. He isn't expected to work out with any other teams, likely after receiving word that the team would select him with the first pick. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said last month that he believes the team is an excellent situation for Flagg, with their mixture of established veterans and up-and-coming players. He believes Flagg will be able to step in and make an immediate contribution. After trading away cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks hope Flagg can step in and be their long-term solution. Should Flagg indeed hear his name called first, the ACC Freshman of the Year will become the sixth Blue Devil to be selected as the top pick.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Mavericks Make Massive Cooper Flagg Mistake Ahead of NBA Draft
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ever since the Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA draft lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance of doing so, fans have long known who the team plans to take with the No. 1 overall pick on June 25. While there's plenty of intriguing prospects in this year's draft class — Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, Rutgers forward Ace Bailey, Texas guard Tre Johnson — few would argue Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is the hands-down best player available. Flagg's resume includes winning the National College Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and NABC and ACC Freshman of the Year, plus the Lute Olsen, Julius Erving, and Wayman Tisdale awards. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg #51 takes part in a shooting drill during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg #51 takes part in a shooting drill during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, also earned first-team All-ACC, ACC All-Defensive team, and ACC All-Freshman team honors as well plus he was named a consensus first-team All-American. And while Flagg to Dallas is the worst-kept secret in the NBA right now, the Mavericks seemingly jumped the gun in announcing the news on their official team website 12 days before they can officially confirm they're picking the Duke phenom, according to Front Office Sports. "The Mavs have seemingly announced their selection of Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick on their website. The draft is in 12 days," FOS wrote on X. The Mavs have seemingly announced their selection of Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick on their website. The draft is in 12 days. (via @KevinGraySports) — Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 13, 2025 The post sparked some confusion and strong reactions among fans on social media. "Can they do that? Is that legal?" one fan asked. "Can we get any more embarrassing? Like seriously man. It stinks. Because I know it's an honest mistake by someone, but we are already so far under the microscope," another fan exclaimed. "Announcing it 12 days early is wild 😂😂😂," one user quipped. "The Mavs stay embarrassing themselves," a second user scoffed. Though there's been speculation the Mavericks, who finished as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and made it to the finals of the NBA play-in tournament before being ousted by the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies, could trade the top pick for a king's ransom, ESPN insider Tim MacMahon recently reported that the Mavericks are locked in on taking and building around Flagg. "Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks, recognizes the gift horse that was delivered to this franchise," MacMahon said. "The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick." MacMahon's comments about Flagg being a "gift horse" stem from the team's ill-fated trade of superstar point guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers back in early February. For more on the Mavericks and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Paul gives massive praise to projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Chris Paul gives massive praise to projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg Cooper Flagg is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and has impressed many observers in recent memory, including future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. The 18-year-old is busy training during the predraft process and has spent some time in Los Angeles, California. Paul has joined him in the gym on a couple of occasions and can see why he is the clear choice to be the top pick on June 25. "I'm just like everybody else: I'm a fan," Paul said on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. "I was at home in L.A., and I was watching the ping-pong balls like everybody, and when I saw the Spurs pop into the top four, we were going crazy. Guys on my team (in the) group chat, we were like, 'What is about to happen?' I'm in L.A. right now, and Cooper Flagg has been out there. I've been in the gym with him a couple of times, or whatnot. He is as real as advertised." Flagg entered last season with tremendous expectations as the consensus top recruit in the class of 2024. He was highly touted as the likely top pick in the draft and lived up to the hype after becoming the face of the sport this past season. The 6-foot-8 forward has drawn comparisons to former Duke legend and Hall of Famer Grant Hill because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games in various ways. Former coach Mike Krzyzewski even called him the best freshman to ever play with the Blue Devils. After trading away cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks hope Flagg can step in and be their long-term solution. Should Flagg indeed hear his name called first, the ACC Freshman of the Year will become the sixth Blue Devil to be selected as the top pick.
Dominion Post
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
NOTEBOOK: State natives played a major role in No. 24 WVU's baseball success this season
MORGANTOWN — Kyle West's recollection of his conversation with WVU baseball coach went back to the old days. Well, maybe they weren't the old days, but certainly they were different from the current state of the program. 'He was telling me there was a time when you couldn't pay 4,000 people to come watch a game here,' the WVU outfielder recalled. 'Now, we're playing in front of 4,000 people every game.' There is a great sense of pride in West, a native of Hedgesville, in playing some type of role in the Mountaineers' climb into national respectability. He was second on the team with 14 home runs a season ago when WVU advanced to its first-ever super regional. West leads the 24th-ranked Mountaineers this season with a .354 batting average, as WVU (41-14) prepares to face Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, at noon Friday. 'As a West Virginia native, being able to play in a postseason atmosphere for this state and this community, it means a lot to a lot of people,' he said. That would include many of his teammates who are also West Virginia natives, as the Mountaineers will travel to the Clemson, S.C. Regional with a roster armed with impact players from around the state. Former Parkersburg South star Grant Hussey is the school's all-time home run leader with 44. Mannington native Jace Rineart leads the Mountaineers with 50 RBIs. Ben McDougal (Bridgeport) will likely see action as a reliever, while Bryant Yoak (Big Bend) has appeared in 13 games as a relief pitcher this season. 'The pride I carry is immense,' West said. 'It's not every day you get to play for your home state. I think it's one of the most important things I've done in my career.' The Clemson Regional has other ties to the state, as well. USC Upstate freshman relief pitcher Cayden Mackey is a former Parkersburg South standout. Former Morgantown High standout Ryan Fluharty also played at USC Upstate, but entered the transfer portal and is no longer with the Spartans. WVU also has local ties on its roster who will be making a trip home to play in the regional. Center fielder Skylar King is a Columbia, S.C. native, who was once ranked the No. 19 prospect out of the state when he signed with the Mountaineers. WVU outfielder Ben Lumsden will be closer to home. His hometown of Simpsonville is located just 47 miles from Clemson's campus. Of the four teams — WVU, Clemson, Kentucky and USC Upstate —in the regional, Clemson center fielder Cam Cannarella stands out above the rest when it comes to the 2025 MLB draft. The junior is the only player on any of the rosters ranked among the top 150 prospects for the draft. He's ranked No. 34 overall by ESPN and 38th overall by Cannarella, the 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year, leads the Tigers with a .339 batting average. He also has three home runs and driven in 45 RBIs. He's also known for his defensive abilities, including over-the-shoulder catches on deeply-hit fly balls. 'He's fiery, he's composed, he's elite defensively, and he's still developing,' Clemson head coach Erik Bakich said. 'Cam makes winning plays. Period.' It takes three wins to advance out of regional play, which may set up WVU's largest pitching hurdle. Outside of starter Griffin Kirn, the Mountaineers have found little consistency elsewhere lately. Kirn, a senior lefty who pitched at the Division II level last season, is the only WVU starter to register a win over the Mountaineers' last nine games. That win came against Cincinnati in the Big 12 tournament. Other than that, you'd have to go back to WVU's 5-0 win against Texas Tech on May 4 to find the last time a WVU starting pitcher notched a victory. Jack Kartsonas was WVU's starter in the Big 12 semifinal loss against Arizona, but he's struggled as of late and allowed 10 runs over his last three starts. 'I think Kartsonas has really stabilized himself as the No. 2 starter,' WVU head coach Steve Sabins said. 'He's older. He's a veteran and competes at a really high level. I feel comfortable with Kartsonas and Kirn.' Kirn will likely get the start against the Wildcats (29-24). 'As a coach, when you make decisions, it feels like a lot of times it comes down to who are you willing to lose with?' Sabins continued. 'I'm willing to lose with both of those guys.' If the Mountaineers were to advance to a third game, it would likely be a pitcher-by-committee type of game. The good news is relief pitcher Carson Estridge is set to return for the NCAA tournament after not being eligible to pitch in the Big 12 tournament. Estridge is 3-1 with five saves this season, but has also struggled late, allowing 10 runs over his last four appearances. The news is not so good for starting pitcher Gavin Van Kempen, who has been dealing with shoulder soreness. 'He's working to get ready for the regional, I just don't know if that's a realistic possibility or not,' Sabins said. 'He appears to be further away than Estridge. I just don't feel good where GVK would be at.'
