Projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg isn’t interested in player comparisons as he prepares to make his NBA debut.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Flagg explained why he avoids likening himself to any current or former NBA stars:
“I don’t really compare myself to anybody,” Flagg said. “I feel like I’m just trying to be myself all the time when I’m on the court. I’m not trying to be anybody else or do anything I can’t do. I just try and be myself. I’ll let other people make those comparisons.”
Player comps are a standard part of draft analysis, used to project a prospect’s ceiling or stylistic traits. But in Flagg’s case, analysts say the comparisons are far from straightforward.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman listed Jalen Johnson and Kevin Garnett as loose parallels, highlighting Flagg’s blend of athleticism, high-IQ playmaking, and defensive prowess. Wasserman added:
“Flagg should provide an instant rookie impact… the on-ball development we saw at Duke suggests it won’t be long before offense is running through him.”
While Garnett—a Hall of Famer with 15 All-Star nods and an MVP trophy—represents a lofty comparison, Flagg already brings a modern twist to the role. He drained 52 three-pointers in his lone season at Duke, surpassing Garnett’s single-season NBA high of 37.
Flagg’s uniqueness is part of what makes him so tantalizing as a prospect. With no perfect one-to-one comp, the basketball world awaits what the 6-foot-9 forward could evolve into—likely as the top pick in the June 25 NBA Draft, where the Dallas Mavericks are expected to select him.
The post Cooper Flagg prefers to stand alone, skips comparisons ahead of 2025 NBA Draft first appeared on Fastbreak.
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