Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who hasn’t even performed a single sport in school, was a part of a choose squad that was invited to work out towards the Olympic Group USA throughout its coaching camp in Las Vegas. The 17-year-old grew to become the story of Monday’s apply, as he confirmed “no worry” 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 at last a baseline turnaround towards Jrue Vacation. The rising star held his personal towards three of the perfect defenders within the NBA.
“The chance, it was nice,” Flagg expressed. “It was a blessing to be right here. I feel 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 hold bettering. This confirmed simply how large the main points are.”
17-year-old Duke commit Cooper Flagg is TORCHING Group 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 in regards to the alternative. “I used to be shocked, I used to be shocked and I used to be actually excited for this chance,” Flagg stated of suiting up with the choose workforce. “And I’m simply actually blessed that I used to be in a position to come out and capitalize on it and present what I’ve.
“I used to be actually grateful to return out and study. That was the largest factor for me — simply with the ability to study 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 sport in school.
“He kicked butt right here,” stated the tactician, who additionally coaches the Orlando Magic. “There’s a respect issue for what he’s completed. Individuals who haven’t seen him play, as he will get himself going inside the sport, they shortly see what he can do.”
Flagg impressed each the NBA stars he performed towards, 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 in a position to beat the younger choose workforce by one level, Flagg was seen in every single 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 desires 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 among the finest rookies over the past NBA season. The Miami guard expressed a lot 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 enjoying a school sport, not to mention an NBA sport, there’s no worry,” he assured. “It’s relentless. And the factor you could inform about him is that he simply has a knack and the need to win. He doesn’t want the ball. He simply finds a solution to it. And the ball finds its solution to him. That’s one thing you could’t educate. He’s simply bought an excellent really feel for the sport.”
