If Cooper Flagg had been allowed to enter the NBA draft directly out of high school last month, there’s a good chance he would have been the number one pick.<\/p>\n
Instead, the consensus top recruit in the high school class of 2024 is headed to Duke, but he maneuvered his way into playing with the elite of the elite this week. The 17-year-old Maine native took part in a Team USA scrimmage at the UNLV training facility ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and showed the Olympians that he’s coming for them.<\/p>\n
Washington Post reporter Ben Golliver’s timeline on social media platform X is filled with highlights from the Team USA vs. Select Team scrimmage, and several are of Flagg getting the best of the NBA stars. Perhaps the best is this series of possessions in which he hits a 3-pointer over Los Angeles Lakers big Anthony Davis, tracks AD down the court as an errant pass flies in their direction, takes the ball upcourt, and then puts in an athletic putback while getting fouled.<\/p>\n
\nDuke commit Cooper Flagg has taken over USA Basketball scrimmage: hits a three and then finishes a tough putback pic.twitter.com\/SB3Y4fDpYt<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Here’s another possession in which he backs down the smaller Jrue Holiday and then hits the turnaround jumper over the Boston Celtics guard, one of the top defenders in the NBA:<\/p>\n
\nDuke commit Cooper Flagg hits a turnaround over Celtics\u2019 Jrue Holiday during USA Basketball scrimmage pic.twitter.com\/zEIDYVVNnv<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
And while he’s comfortable playing down low, taking the ball and shooting off the dribble, Flagg was also happy to spot up in the corner and hit a 3 over Davis.<\/p>\n
\nDuke commit Cooper Flagg cashes a three over Lakers\u2019 Anthony Davis during USA Basketball scrimmage pic.twitter.com\/LVgLji6rQj<\/a><\/p>\n