NBA Comparison: Scottie Pippen

Strengths: Flagg is a highly touted, 6’9 205 player who has the physical dimensions (7′ foot 1 wingspan)  to fit anywhere along the frontcourt, having the height to stand out as a wing, in addition to the length and the developing strength necessary to play as a natural PF and possibly develop some face the basket 3 skills … A long strider, who also shows excellent leaping skills and can cover ground in big swoops laterally or when running the floor … Very much mobile and is a fluid, agile mover on the court … Has no problems initiating offense after corralling missed shots off the glass (8.1 RPG as of writing) or coming up with live ball turnovers (1.6 SPG); is a terror for teams to deal with when he has a head of steam and defenders on their heels in transition play … An emphatic finisher who gets countless dunks and has enough wiry strength in his frame to convert over players and through contact (54 FG% inside the arc) … His extension at the rim and touch are both a plus … Also quite comfortable and skilled in pick and roll situations; making good decisions as a roll man as to whether he should dish or call his own number when he has the ball and is an accurate passer as a frontcourt player (4.1 APG/2.6 TOPG) … Very quick first step for his size and is a weapon taking guys his size off the dribble when facing up … Also uses his quickness in post-up situations and likes to turn his left shoulder and get into his jump hooks around the hoop … Moves without the ball well and gets himself some easy points by simply being active as a cutter … Good shot selection; lets the game come to him … Has a versatile scoring profile and mismatch skill set that makes him a tricky cover … Has produced 9 games with at least 20 points at the midway point of this season (19.2 PPG, 49 FG%) … Likes to shoot mid-range jumpers, and is efficient rising and hitting shots off the dribble in rhythm going in either direction … Good enough shot-making skills with his feet set from the perimeter to keep defenses honest; has made strides as the season has progressed from behind the arc (23 made 3s, 35 3FG% in 18 games) … Can pick and pop or run to open shots inside the arc and hit short jumpers … His aggression makes him no stranger to the FT line, and he does a nice job converting once he’s there (80 FT% on 6.1 FTA/G) … So much to like about his ability and potential on the defensive end of the floor; has shown plenty of examples of being a ‘sideline-to-sideline’ defensive player with his ability to freelance and erase shots at the rim (1.2 BPG, currently leads Duke in blocks with 22 as a Fr.) or come up with steals that lead to open floor opportunities, where he is most potent (1.6 SPG) … Moves his feet well; will be asked to guard multiple positions and has all the projections to be able to handle this responsibility … Displays great instincts and timing, and uses his formidable length and range to his advantage as a playmaker on the defensive end of the floor …. A fierce competitor comparable to the greats in the game of basketball, who has been lauded for his intensity in games and practices … Can take over games and has displayed the ability to will his team to wins at times … Stuffs the stat sheet and leads Duke in nearly every major stat category … Highly decorated amateur career and is remarkably just turned 18 years old (December), and wont turn 19 until his rookie season due to reclassifying as a HS Soph … Vocal and confident player who has shown the ability to considerably raise the level of every team he’s played on … Extremely mature and focused individual. NBA Teams are certainly intrigued by the person as well as the player as he’s high character individual that teams can count on from a professional aspect …

Weaknesses: A bit thin; adding more pounds to his frame wouldn’t hurt although he should be able to add muscle without the loss of mobility relatively easily … Not a bad ball-handler for his size but doesn’t have great creativity off the bounce, particularly when handling on the perimeter at the moment where he can at times be too loose with the ball when faced with on-ball pressure … His development as an isolation scorer on the perimeter will determine just how high his scoring upside is, and that’s the biggest question about his offensive game currently even though he’s still obviously been scoring the ball just fine to put it mildly … Shooting numbers are improving but he should continue to work on tightening up his fundamentals, as he sometimes doesn’t keep his elbows tight which leads to some of his shots being offline … Will get caught out of position at times defensively going after blocks and steals; has given up some offensive rebounds and easy layups chasing turnovers … Probably nitpicking as his potential is sky high and he can be one of the best players of an era if things fall into place, however a small concern is the fact that he doesn;t have an exact positional fit and there are some who may label him as a tweener lacking ideal strength as a four and speed and skills to play the wing. But don’t bet against him as the tweener label can sometimes be a positive adding versatility and match up problems for the opposition, instead of problems for the player …

Overall: Cooper Flagg has been a highly discussed and ballyhooed prospect since his Fr. year of HS as a rare blue chip prospect from the state of Maine, where he won a state title and stuffed the stat sheet as a 9th grader…He went on to play for the powerhouse Montverde Academy where he continued to win and was an AAU sensation for both the Florida Eagles and Maine United squads, making a name for himself as the widely regarded best HS player in the country regardless of Class on the EYBL circuit and earning consensus Player of the Year honors in 2024…He signed during the beginning of his Sr season to Duke and he has certainly lived up to his billing as a Fr. in the 2024-2025, leading the Blue Devils to being the #2 ranked team in the country as of today while being the teams leading scorer, rebounder, assist man, ball thief and shot-blocker as an 18 year old … He also has shown his dynamic ability to take over games offensively with 9 20+ point games, including a 42-point outburst against Notre Dame that was the most points scored by a Fr in the prestigious history of the ACC and that he only needed 14 FG attempts to reach…He is a lengthy frontcourt player who brings mismatch scoring skills, high level athleticism and intensity, offensive and defensive playmaking instincts, and a pedigree of winning and success to the table and the kinds of production and intangibles any team would love to build around…Flagg is a guy who will be looked at as a franchise player by the team who selects him, and someone who will be faced with lofty expectations considering the already pristine groundwork he’s put together to this point …

Notes: Has a twin brother (Ace) … Hails from Newport, Maine and initially attended Nokomis Regional High School, where he became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year (averaging 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game). He also led his team to a blowout 43–27 win in the state championship game against Falmouth High School (tallying 22 points, which was more than half of what his own team scored, and nearly equal to the entire output from the opposition… plus 16 rebounds) … Transferred to Montverde Academy (alma mater of former #1 overall picks Joel Embiid, Cade Cunningham and Ben Simmons) at the end of his freshman year … Led Montverde to a 33-0 record and won Chipotle Nationals in 2024, finishing with 16 points (6-9 FG), 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks in the championship game … 2024 McDonald’s All-American … Recorded 19 points (8-13 FG), 10 rebounds (4 offensive), and 3 blocks at the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic … Scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …Both of Flagg’s parents are former basketball players. Mother, Kelly, played basketball at University of Maine (1995–99) and was a three-time America East champion, made four NCAA Tournament appearances and was team captain as a senior. His father, Ralph, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College …

Jorrye Nixon 1/23/25

Strengths: 6’9 versatile two-way forward … Good length … Very well-coordinated with good fluidity in his upper and lower body. High-level athleticism and quick off the ground which translates well on both ends. Quick second and third jump … Good footwork, use of pivots, and always balanced. A lot of wiggle getting to the rim … Good touch and release point on shot, can be difficult for the defense to contest without fouling. Stays squared up and can shoot on the move … Uses either hand at the rim and in traffic. Scores well from midrange. Capable of scoring from all three levels … Plays within the flow of the game as he doesn’t force his impact or hunt for his points. Impacts the game without scoring. Scoring averages: 9.2 PPG 48.9% FG% NIBC 2022-23, 4^th best 22.4 PPG 46.7% FG% NBPA Top 100 2023, 14.3 PPG 52.8% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Doesn’t shy away from physicality and draws fouls at a high rate. Shot 6.4 free throws per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Good free throw shooter: 77.8% FT% NIBC 2022-23, 88.9% FT% NBPA Top 100 2023, 76.9% FT% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Rebounds well on both ends: 3^rd best 10 (event best 4.6 ORPG) RPG U17 World Cup in 2022, 4^th best 9.4 (2.1 ORPG) RPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 4^th best 7.3 (2.4 ORPG) RPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Can grab a rebound and start the offense. Alert, sees the floor and passes well with either hand, knows where his teammates are at all times. Moves the ball quickly and doesn’t let it stick. Doesn’t over-dribble or put himself in bad situations with the ball. Solid burst with the ball. Finds the open teammate mid-attack and makes good reads off the dribble. Averaged 3 assists per game over the NIBC in 2022-23 and 3.7 assists per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 … Moves well off the ball and reads cutting opportunities well … Consistently competes on both ends. Versatile defender, covers ground quickly, and always in position. Light on his feet, rotates, and can defend up and down in the lineup. Alert when defending off the ball as both a shot blocker and when jumping passes. Turns defense into offense. Steal stats: 4^th best 2.4 SPG U17 World Cup 2022, 4^th best 2 SPG NIBC in 2022-23, 1.6 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24. Instinctive shot blocker: 2^nd best 2.9 BPG U17 World Cup 2022, 2^nd best 2.2 BPG NIBC 2022-23, 5^th best 1.9 BPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 3^rd best 1.9 BPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24. Contests shots well without fouling … Team oriented and natural understanding of the game with a high basketball IQ on both ends. Competitor and gives consistent effort. Natural leader and mature/professional demeanor. Isn’t intimidated against older and more experience players … Younger for his class, will turn 18 in December of his freshman year of college, a full year younger than many incoming college freshman … High floor and long-term ceiling …

Weaknesses: Has room to get stronger and better handling contact, weighing in right over 200 pounds … Capable of shooting from distance but mechanics are a little unorthodox and can improve 3PT consistency: 24% 3PT% 2.1 3PTA NIBC 2022-23, 21.7% 3PT% 3.3 3PTA NBPA Top 100 2023, 26.7% 3PT% 2.5 3PTA EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Can tighten up as a ball-handler and navigating in traffic … Can improve creating in the half-court. Has room to expand scoring ability if he’s going to be the team’s focal offensive player in the NBA …

Outlook: Incoming Duke freshman … Transferred to Montverde Academy after his freshman year … Won Gold and named to the All-Tournament Team at the U17 World Cup in 2022 … 2022 Maine Gatorade Player of the Year … 2023 Naismith High School All-American 2^nd Team … 2024 Florida and National Gatorade Player of the Year … 2024 Naismith Player of the Year … Led Montverde to a 33-0 record and won Chipotle Nationals in 2024, finishing with 16 points (6-9 FG), 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks in the championship game … 2024 McDonald’s All-American … Recorded 19 points (8-13 FG), 10 rebounds (4 offensive), and 3 blocks at the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic … Scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …

Evan Tomes 7/25/24

Strengths: As explosive as prospect as you will find … Has great size at 6’8″+ (appears to still be growing) and what appears to be over a 7-foot wingspan (though no official measurement has yet been reported) … Let’s start with defense: Flagg routinely — yes, routinely — accumulates 10 blocks or more in his high school games … Has great timing and instincts combined with a tenacity and real desire to get after opponents’ shots… As mentioned, he’s long, and ultra explosive (quick off his feet and has a good second- and third-jump) … Goes up defensively with two hands taking advantage of “verticality” and keeping great body control despite slight frame… On the perimeter, defensively, Flagg is sound. Not quite as elite at this stage as with shot blocking, but very good (and gets impressive steal numbers)… Defensive length, instincts, and interest are elite… Offensively, Flagg is a high flying finisher and a nightmare on the fast break… Very fast in the open court… Gets to the rim with ease also in the halfcourt… Creative playmaker as well with excellent court vision and desire to facilitate for teammates … Love his competitiveness. Has a presence. Never shies away from a match up or moment … Fiery, feisty player… Has the type of attitude that can’t be taught… Talks his talk and backs it up … Likes to get flashy with a behind the back pass, tomahawk jam, or his trademark monster block (swat) … Has wiry strength in a thin frame … In the half court, loves to blow by his man, go into a powerful jump stop, and explode up for a two-handed jam … Has developed a reliable outside shot out to NBA 3-point range with a clean release … Can also hit a mid-range jump shot … Down low, when he’s not trying to rip the rim off the hoop, he has ability to hit a drop step into a soft floater or baby hook shot … Active on the boards, both offensive and defensive … Boxes out and has good fundamentals … Can absorb contact better than you’d think from looking at his currently somewhat slim frame, both on the boards and on the finish …

Weaknesses: While Flagg is a good scorer and aggressive player, he is currently not an explosive scorer who will put 50 points on the board — important note for a player ranked as highly as Flagg… At this stage, while Flagg has plenty of tools on offense, defense is more his calling card … Form on his shot looks very promising, but still goes through cold spells shooting the ball and doesn’t hit the three ball with enough consistency yet … Jumpshot form can be inconsistent and a hair slow. It’s more of a set shot sometimes from three, but usually a jumpshot from mid range, which is fine but adds to some inconsistency …Handle is good enough to create off the dribble, but not an area where he excels. Can clean up in this area a bit to take his offensive game to the next level…  While physically strong against high school competition, will need to continue to add strength while maintaining mobility to sustain his elite-defender status at the next level … has broad shoulders similar to a Chris Webber, but will need to focus on adding more core strength and leg strength … Strength is in need of improvement, but in reality he appears to be on a natural progression with regard to Currently a good playmaker. But still has room to grow in this area (harnessing the creativity) as well to reach true “point forward” status …

Notes: Flagg grew up in Newport, Maine and initially attended Nokomis Regional High School, where he became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year (averaging 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game). He also led his team to a blowout 43–27 win in the state championship game against Falmouth High School (tallying 22 points, which was more than half of what his own team scored, and nearly equal to the entire output from the opposition… plus 16 rebounds) … Transferred to Montverde Academy (alma mater of former #1 overall picks Joel Embiid, Cade Cunningham and Ben Simmons) at the end of his freshman year … Both of Flagg’s parents are former ballers. Mother, Kelly, played basketball at University of Maine (1995–99) and was a three-time America East champion, made four NCAA Tournament appearances and was team captain as a senior. His father, Ralph, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College.

Outlook: Reclassified to become a senior joining the class of 2024 during the summer … Will attend Duke next season and be eligible for the 2025 draft where he’s become the overwhelming favorite to be the first overall pick …

Drew Wolin 11/10/23