The rookie sensation out of Duke was selected No. 1 overall in the most recent NBA Draft after putting out impressive numbers during his only year with the Blue Devils.
“The way he performed with the USA Select team last summer was pretty impressive,” said Jay Bilas, ESPN’s draft analyst, of Flagg’s potential in the league. “I think all the NBA players came away going: this guy’s pretty good. So he’s got credibility right away.”
Tatum flaunted the potential to be both a high-end scorer and an impact defender in his 2016-17 campaign at Duke, averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
And Irving played one season for Duke University in the 2010-2011 season before being drafted first overall in the 2011 NBA draft. He was cut short by a toe injury after just eight games, where he averaged 17.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.
Cooper Flagg, a 6-9 18-year-old from Newport, Maine, becomes the first No. 1 pick in franchise history since 1981 when Mark Aguirre was selected. He will immediately step in as a major cornerstone for a team built to win now and for years to come.
With Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson already in place, Flagg will not have absurd pressure heaped on him. But he will willingly take on a big role immediately if needed. “It’s incredible,” Flagg told Dallas-area reporters after getting chosen.
“I want to be a sponge. I want to learn as much as I can. I think AD is an incredible role model the way he plays the game on both sides of the ball and impacts winning. So I think it’ll be incredible for me to learn and figure things out,” Cooper added.
