Top NBA Draft prospect, Duke phenom makes LeBron James announcement ahead of draft lottery
Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, top draft prospect Cooper Flagg announced his desire to play against LeBron James, emphasizing the rarity of such an opportunity. Flagg, a standout player from Duke, displayed exceptional skills during the 2024-25 college basketball season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His performance was highlighted by his ability to execute isolation plays, efficient pick-and-rolls, and maintain shooting accuracy. In a prior scrimmage, Flagg had the chance to compete against James' Team USA, narrowly losing 74-73. LeBron James, despite being the NBA's oldest player, acknowledged Flagg's potential and the promising talent emerging in the league, expressing optimism about Flagg's future in Team USA and the NBA.
Context:
Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, top draft prospect Cooper Flagg announced his desire to play against LeBron James, emphasizing the rarity of such an opportunity. Flagg, a standout player from Duke, displayed exceptional skills during the 2024-25 college basketball season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His performance was highlighted by his ability to execute isolation plays, efficient pick-and-rolls, and maintain shooting accuracy. In a prior scrimmage, Flagg had the chance to compete against James' Team USA, narrowly losing 74-73. LeBron James, despite being the NBA's oldest player, acknowledged Flagg's potential and the promising talent emerging in the league, expressing optimism about Flagg's future in Team USA and the NBA.
Dive Deeper:
Cooper Flagg, a top NBA draft prospect, expressed a strong desire to play against LeBron James, citing the unique opportunity it represents given James' stature in the NBA.
Flagg had an impressive 2024-25 college basketball season at Duke, showcasing his skills with 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while maintaining high shooting percentages.
Known for his isolation instincts and pick-and-roll playmaking, Flagg demonstrated his ability to absorb contact and maintain balance, contributing to his reliable three-point shooting.
In a scrimmage last July, Flagg's USA Select squad faced off against James' Team USA, where they narrowly lost 74-73, giving Flagg a chance to compete against his idol.
LeBron James, who recently completed his 22nd NBA season, praised Flagg and other young talents like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum, highlighting their potential to become significant players for Team USA.
James' acknowledgment of Flagg's potential reflects the vibrant pool of young talent in the NBA, with many aspiring to be Olympians and continue the legacy of excellence in basketball.
Flagg's aspiration to play against James could materialize if James extends his career into the 2025-26 season, providing a platform for Flagg to achieve his dream.
The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
While most individuals are solely focused on the odds that each lottery team has to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, there’s plenty of other intriguing news to explore.
Last Thursday, the top NBA draft prospect made a major announcement about the Los Angeles Lakers’ 6-foot-9 phenomenon, LeBron James.
"LeBron, I want to play against him,” Cooper Flagg said last Thursday. “Just because, I mean, it's LeBron. Like, not a lot more people are going to get a chance to play with LeBron. So I think it would just be really, really cool to play against him.”
Flagg is projected to be the first player to come off the board on draft night.
The Duke phenom was electric during the 2024-25 college basketball season, showcasing his elite isolation instincts, smooth pick-and-roll playmaking, ability to absorb contact while remaining balanced, and reliable three-point shooting all year.
The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three.
Last July, Flagg’s USA Select squad scrimmaged James’ Team USA club, allowing the future pro to compete against his idol before preparing for his freshman campaign at Duke. Team USA walked away with a narrow 74-73 victory.
James, who recently completed his 22nd NBA season and guided the Lakers to a 50-win regular season campaign, had high praise for Flagg in a late September interview with Esquire’s Brian O’Keefe.
"We have so much great talent right now in our league,” James told O’Keefe.
"You have Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum; you have Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren, these young guys coming up in the ranks; Cooper Flagg, who’s going to be a big-time player here for Team USA down the road.
"So yeah, absolutely. There’s a lot of great young talent that’s going to want to strive to be an Olympian.”
If James decides to extend his NBA career despite being the oldest player in the league, Flagg’s dream will become a reality during the 2025-26 season
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