Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who hasn’t even performed a single recreation in school, was a part of a choose squad that was invited to work out in opposition to the Olympic Crew USA throughout its coaching camp in Las Vegas. The 17-year-old grew to become the story of Monday’s observe, as he confirmed “no concern” and produced many energy performs.
Beginning with a three-pointer over Anthony Davis. Then an acrobatic putback over Bam Adebayo, and getting fouled within the course of. And eventually a baseline turnaround in opposition to Jrue Vacation. The rising star held his personal in opposition to three of the very best defenders within the NBA.
“The chance, it was nice,” Flagg expressed. “It was a blessing to be right here. I believe simply the physicality, and simply the extent of the place I need to get to, there’s so much to get higher at, so much the place I must preserve bettering. This confirmed simply how massive the main points are.”
17-year-old Duke commit Cooper Flagg is TORCHING Crew USA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6E7IblYhFA
— Yahoo Sports activities (@YahooSports) July 8, 2024
As soon as the scrimmage was over, {the teenager} couldn’t assist however really feel blessed concerning the alternative. “I used to be shocked, I used to be stunned and I used to be actually excited for this chance,” Flagg mentioned of suiting up with the choose workforce. “And I’m simply actually blessed that I used to be capable of come out and capitalize on it and present what I’ve.
“I used to be actually grateful to come back out and be taught. That was the most important factor for me — simply with the ability to be taught and develop, to share a fitness center with all of those nice, nice names. Legends. So, I’m simply really blessed.”
Nonetheless, he wasn’t the one one left with their mouth open, as U.S. choose workforce coach Jamahl Mosley was satisfied that Cooper proved why there’s at all times been a lot buzz across the younger prospect, particularly as he’s solely going to enhance his recreation in school.
“He kicked butt right here,” mentioned the tactician, who additionally coaches the Orlando Magic. “There’s a respect issue for what he’s performed. Individuals who haven’t seen him play, as he will get himself going throughout the recreation, they rapidly see what he can do.”
Flagg impressed each the NBA stars he performed in opposition to, in addition to the younger roster that suited up together with him on Monday’s session
Throughout Monday’s scrimmage, throughout which the Olympic roster was solely capable of beat the younger choose workforce by one level, Flagg was seen all over the place from down the stretch to producing energy performs within the offensive finish.
As soon as it was over, he impressed gamers on each groups, together with nationwide workforce guard Devin Booker. “He needs it,” the Phoenix famous person expressed after the competition. “I do know this expertise he’s going to take with him and transfer ahead.”
One who performed beside him was Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Warmth, who was thought-about probably the greatest rookies over the past NBA season. The Miami guard expressed a number of admiration for the Gatorade participant of the 12 months, the Naismith participant of the 12 months and McDonald’s All American.
“To have the ability to do what he did, not even taking part in a school recreation, not to mention an NBA recreation, there’s no concern,” he assured. “It’s relentless. And the factor which you could inform about him is that he simply has a knack and the desire to win. He doesn’t want the ball. He simply finds a strategy to it. And the ball finds its strategy to him. That’s one thing which you could’t train. He’s simply received a terrific really feel for the sport.”
