[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Cooper Flagg
Frame: 6’8”, 221 lbs
Position: Forward
School: Duke
2025 Draft Age: 18
Stats via nba.com

Offense

As one of the youngest players in the draft, Flagg’s offensive skill set has already displayed more versatility and polish than many NBA veterans. Even throughout the first 12 games of his freshman season, when he was only shooting 25.0 percent from three, raising questions about his range, he flipped a switch to finish the season at a rather impressive 38.5 percent. 

While there isn’t much Flagg can’t do, he thrives at making plays happen in the halfcourt. He can force his way inside, going either right or left, and has excellent feel and instincts for maneuvering through the defense. His soft touch gives him many friendly bounces, and his willingness to go at the defense is why he ranked second in the ACC in free throw attempts (213). 

He could stand to improve from the perimeter by creating his own three-point shot. He has shown flashes that give confidence that he may grow. Flagg initially lacks the ball-handling skill and quick release to do this at a high level. 

While he would not be lost entirely without a consistent three-pointer, this may be Flagg’s ceiling swing skill. He showed both the good and bad sides of it as a freshman, and if he can manage to be an above-average three-point shooter through his career, then the sky is the limit.

Flagg brings mature and consistent footwork, focusing on the details to create space for himself through timely jab steps, controlled spin moves, and well-executed pump fakes.

It is impressive how rarely he is not involved in the offense. If the ball is not in Flagg’s hands, he is hustling to be an option—not out of greed or a hunger to have the ball, but rather to help take pressure off the ballhandler. He is always cutting or fighting for positioning in the post, and never shows negative emotion when the ball doesn’t reach him. 

In transition, poise is the word to describe Flagg. He does not let the defense dictate what he will do; rather, the opposite. While he will not beat most defenders one-on-one with speed, he will do so with patience and footwork. Even though he shot an impressive 60.5 percent from the paint, Flag is also very aware of his teammates running the floor with him and will not hesitate to move the ball if a better shot is available. 

Flagg was an underrated playmaker during the season. At his young age, he can already slow the game down and trust his teammates will be in the correct position, allowing him to see plays before they happen. This quality is rare for an 18-year-old with such a high level of scoring potential.

In the age where the pick-and-roll is becoming increasingly more creative, he can excel as both the screener and the passer. His aggressiveness and soft hands make him an excellent roller, and his court awareness and height make him a reliable playmaker, as he can execute timely passes to the screener or launch a quick skip pass to the opposite corner.

 

Defense

Flagg was expected to play a major role on offense, but his defensive ability surprised many.

On-ball, he can defend almost every position. He moves his feet exceptionally well, which gives him a good chance against even the quickest guards by cutting off their angles and stopping them from getting downhill. He is also big enough to put pressure on bigs down low. He will only get better here as he gets stronger.  

Off-ball, Flagg has great instincts in terms of rotations. He effectively understands when to commit to his assignment to help. He is an elite weakside help defender, consistently able to come out of nowhere with a powerful swat (1.4 blocks per game) or an effective contest at the rim. His instincts also allow him to rarely lose his matchups, always keeping his head on a swivel and being aware of what is happening around him.

Communication is another skill that Flagg holds that most of his age do not. He makes those around him better by verbally sharing his feel and ability to see the floor. So as he commits off his matchup, his teammates know to rotate. This is a big reason why Duke excelled so well defensively around him. He knows his limits and what he is good at, but the key point is that he ensures his team does as well.

Regarding rebounding, Flagg always boxes out, hustles, and is ready to use enough energy to meet the ball at its peak. He averaged 7.5 rebounds per game while starting next to a seven-footer in Khaman Maluach, who boasted the third-best rebounding percentage in the conference.  

He led the ACC in defensive rating (89.5). Flagg is always a step ahead of the offense. He adjusts before the pass is made, stays down on pump fakes, and closes out at a very high level. With this showing of commitment, IQ, and instincts, he is prepped for what could become a highly decorated defensive career.

Looking Ahead

Flagg could have one of the highest floors in recent history. Not only does he boast one of the most versatile skill sets seen out of an 18-year-old, but he also has the work ethic to match.  

He displays shades of Bam Adebayo defensively, a high-level switchable defender who can both get into the passing lanes and protect the rim on the weak side. Offensively, Flagg shows similarities to Jayson Tatum, a three-level scorer who thrives in the faceup game and Kyle Anderson, a versatile playmaker.  

While a world exists where he cannot develop a consistent jumpshot, which ultimately hinders his offensive versatility, Flagg has all the tools and fundamentals necessary to impact winning for years to come. He should immediately be one of the best two-way players in the NBA.