Cooper Flagg’s exceptional performance at the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team training camp has garnered significant attention. Inside the gym, filled with Olympians, future Hall of Famers, NBA and college coaches, and team executives, Flagg’s display for the U.S. select team during three days of practice and scrimmages left a lasting impression.
Rising to the Occasion
Flagg, a 17-year-old phenom, showcased his skills against some of the best defenders in the NBA. He nailed a 3-pointer over All-NBA Defense selection Anthony Davis, followed by a putback and an and-one over Bam Adebayo, another All-Defense star. Continuing his hot streak, he made another 3-pointer against Davis and a short turnaround jumper over Jrue Holiday, yet another elite defender this season.
A Star in the Making
Flagg’s performance is even more remarkable considering he is just out of high school. As the No. 1 high school player in 2023-24, he is set to play for Duke this upcoming season and is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Despite his age, Flagg played with a maturity and confidence that belied his years.
“It just comes from my mindset,” Flagg told USA TODAY. “Once the ball goes up, I’m just trying to win at all times, so I’m just a competitor and that’s what it boils down to. It’s a little bit of adjustment being on the court with them, but at the same time, I’m just playing basketball and just trying to win.”
Team USA survived a Cooper Flagg-led COMEBACK in a scrimmage against the ‘Select Team,’ 74-73! 👀🇺🇸
Flagg, the 17 year old high school phenom who’s the projected No. 1 overall NBA pick in 2025, has been considered the ‘Select Team’s’ best player.
Watch out, league, Cooper… pic.twitter.com/2bI7praL4k
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) July 8, 2024
Holding His Own
Flagg was the only U.S. select player who hasn’t played in the NBA. His confidence and skill were evident throughout the camp. “I’m confident in my ability and my skill. So at the end of the day, I’m confident in who I am and what I can do, so I’m just coming out to play basketball,” Flagg said. “I’m just blessed to have this opportunity and to be here. So just knowing I get to go and compete, I kind of had no worries. I didn’t put any pressure on myself just because I’m here for a reason.”
The Awe Factor
The initial awe of sharing the court with superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Jayson Tatum quickly dissipated for Flagg once the scrimmages began. “I think at first walking in the gym and seeing all those players, but not once we started playing,” he said.
High Praise from NBA Insiders
An anonymous NBA team staffer praised Flagg’s positional size (6-9, 205 pounds), ball skills, basketball IQ, confidence, and court presence. At Montverde (Florida) Academy in 2023-24, Flagg averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 1.6 steals, with a shooting percentage of 54.8% from the field. He earned titles such as Gatorade and Naismith high school player of the year in 2024.
Learning from the Best
Flagg reflected on the lessons learned from practicing with the elite players. “Just the physicality, just knowing how far I have to go,” he said. “So much stuff to work on, just seeing it in real-time and how well they do all the little details. So just taking that, learning from that and just getting better.”
Future Aspirations
After the scrimmage on the final day, Flagg posed for pictures with the select team and Olympic team, along with former Duke players like Chip Engelland, Jayson Tatum, and Grant Hill. Although the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics seem far away, these events are already on Flagg’s mind.
“That’s something I’m striving for, just trying to be the best I can and if I can achieve that and then join the World Cup team in (three) years, that’s another goal on my list,” he said.
Cooper Flagg’s impressive performance at the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball training camp underscores his potential to become one of the next great American-born basketball players. His maturity, skill, and competitive drive at such a young age suggest a bright future ahead. As he prepares to start his college career at Duke, the basketball world will be closely watching his development, eagerly anticipating his impact on both the collegiate and professional levels.