The expectations for Cooper Flagg coming out of high school were enormous. People expected the high school Gatorade Player of the Year to come into the college landscape and take the sport by storm. It was the most interesting headline for the ACC leading into the season. Flagg had the opportunity on Monday night against Maine to show the world that he is the leading candidate for the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, regardless of the stiff competition. In his impressive debut, Flagg was able to showcase all the tools on both offense and defense that led to the immense hype.
Impressive Debut: Cooper Flagg As Advertised Early
Offense
Cooper Flagg certainly stuffs the stat sheets when he plays. He averaged 16.5 points, 2.4 offensive rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game during his senior year of high school. His first game at Duke was no different.
He managed to score 18 points with five assists and one offensive rebound. Flagg only shot 6-15 from the floor and 0-4 from three, so there certainly is room for improvement. His numbers show part of the story for his overall success.
But I’d argue that the most impactful features of his game happened outside of the stat sheet. Flagg made the right decision frequently. He let the game come to him. His expectations are arguably as high as any college player since Zion Williamson. To have the poise on the ball to make correct decisions and not press at 17 years old is remarkable. I have watched seniors who had less poise on the ball than Flagg was able to show on Monday night.
He also had his athleticism and finesse on full display. Late in the first half, he dribbled to his weak side and rose up for a one-handed slam dunk that sent Cameron Indoor into a frenzy. He could blow by people off the dribble and effortlessly work his way into the paint. If he decided to slow things down, he backed down his opponent and hit baby hooks and reverse layups from the post.
The offensive skill, knowledge and poise all led to his overall impressive debut on offense. I walked into the game with considerable expectations that were virtually all met on the offensive side of the ball.
Defense
I knew Flagg had all the intangibles on the offensive end, but his defense shined. The overall defensive IQ from Flagg was on full display as he jumped passing lanes and played sound help defense. He was able to amass three steals while being inches away from a couple more.
Beyond the stats, he was able to alter several shots on the inside and showed incredible lateral quickness on the perimeter. Guards couldn’t blow by him on the outside, and centers struggled to shoot over him on the interior. His combination of size and speed disrupted the outmatched Maine Black Bears constantly.
Now for my favorite part of his game: effort. He grabbed six defensive rebounds and consistently crashed the glass. He was strong with the ball and consistently worked to earn it back. Whether he dove to the floor or soared above the rim, he wanted the ball in his hands and out of his opponent’s hands. He took calculated risks and sacrificed his body countless times to make great defensive plays.
Flagg left the game with cramps at the end of the game and for good reason. He left everything on the court Monday night. His impressive debut factors in both his offensive and defensive performances and his unrelenting effort.
The Verdict on Flagg’s Impressive Debut
Maine is certainly not a national championship contender. They most likely will not even be in the NCAA Tournament when March comes. However, what I saw tonight will translate to better opponents.
His intelligence, skill, size, and athleticism combine to create a basketball player that will be a dominant force in basketball this season. The only question will be whether he brings an even higher intensity for crucial matchups, such as the one coming up against Kansas on November 26th. Beating a team like Kansas will take the best from Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils, so is he up to the task? I’d argue yes, but only time will tell.
Flagg looked unstoppable at times during his impressive debut. But this was only the first game. Imagine what he will do when he starts to improve and learn more about the college game?
Watch out college basketball. There’s a storm coming.
