Cooper Flagg lit up Madison Square Garden Saturday night — surely not for the last time.
In front of dozens of NBA scouts, he put on a show featuring spectacular dunks and freakish athleticism.
GettyFlagg is set for a massive payday whatever he does next year[/caption]
Flagg finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists as Duke handed Illinois a record loss in a 110-67 demolition.
“I thought it was an incredible atmosphere,” said the Blue Devils talisman. “Just loved the energy. Saw so much blue in the crowd.”
Flagg played just over 23 minutes — he doesn’t need any more tape and is almost guaranteed to be the No.1 pick if he declares for the NBA Draft.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin says the 6-foot-9 forward is head and shoulders above any other college player.
“He’s the best player in the country,” he told ESPN. “I know Johni Broome may win Player of the Year and he’s a great player, but look, Cooper Flagg is generational.
“The competitiveness to block a shot, the fire and then the character, the makeup. In case you talk about basketball skills, this kid’s got the makeup on as far as his drive, the off the court…..the mental.
“I mean, he’s a perennial All-Star in the NBA for many years.”
Flagg pulled off a between-the-legs dunk in warmups and many think he is in the final year of his college career.
But the 18-year-old, whose $4.8 million annual Name, Image, Likeness earnings pace all NCAA hoopers, has suggested he may stick around.
“I still feel like a kid, this is the only way I’ve ever known college,” Flagg said. “That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional.
GettyFlagg has all the tools to be a star at the next level[/caption]
“I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.”
Illinois coach Brad Underwood thinks he should stick around.
“He’s 18. He’s just an 18-year-old kid. Go have fun. Chase a girl. I mean, just enjoy the opportunity,” he explained.
“I get the whole thing. That’s slotted, he’s going to make what he is. And I’m speaking just completely randomly. I don’t know the kid or the family. But, gosh darn, man, I’m excited about college basketball.”
The No.1 pick in the 2025 Draft is projected to be worth $36 million over three years.
But Underwood thinks a deal could be struck to keep the best player in college around.
“I hope he stays in school. I mean, if I’m the NCAA or the ACC, I’m figuring out an NIL deal to keep that dude in school, because he’s everything that’s right about our game,” he added.
“Somebody threw out some story about it. I hope he stays. Man, he’d be great.
“He could probably make more here than he could in the NBA. He’s also got really good people around him, and that helps.”
It is unlikely the scouts at MSG saw much to suggest Dylan Harper should have his name called ahead of Flagg.
“He’s a lock to be an elite No. 2 option in the NBA with upside for him to be a No. 1,” a scout told Fox Sports. “With Cooper, it feels like a guarantee that he will contribute to a winning team.”
A decision will be made in the coming months. For now, it’s time to sit back and enjoy.