Cooper Flagg 's rise to the top of the 2025 NBA Draft board has been nothing short of spectacular, and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic isn't shy about where he stands. But what makes Flagg's case so compelling is the company that Vecenie puts him in.
"He isn't quite at the Victor Wembanyama level of prospect over the last 20 years, but he belongs in the Anthony Davis tier," Vecenie writes , highlighting just how rare Coop's blend of skill, mentality, and production truly is.
Cooper's freshman season at Duke was a showcase of versatility and dominance. After reclassifying into the 2024 recruiting class, the "Maine Event" didn't just hold his own; he became the National Player of the Year at just 18 years old. Flagg's numbers were eye-popping. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. And as the season progressed, Coop only got better.
Over his final 25 games, including an exceptional performance in the ACC tournament where he rolled his ankle, Flagg averaged 20.5 points, seven rebounds, and 4.6 assists on elite shooting splits, 51.1% from the field, 45.1% from three, and 88% from the line. Duke went 23-2 in that stretch and reached the Final Four, with Cooper dropping 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks in a heartbreaking loss to Houston.
Vecenie's praise goes beyond the box score. He points to Flagg's "skill level, athleticism, shot-creation ability, and mentality" as the foundation for his sky-high ceiling. What sets the Maine native apart is his competitiveness and work ethic — traits that NBA front offices covet in a franchise cornerstone.
"Barring injury, he's about as can't-miss as it gets," Vecenie says.
There's no hint of entitlement or red flags in Flagg's makeup. He's all about winning and will instantly become the centerpiece of whichever organization drafts him.
When comparing Cooper to other recent Duke phenoms, Vecenie goes a step further, saying he prefers the young forward as a prospect even over Zion Williamson. The reason is Coop's durability, advanced processing ability, and defensive reliability.
"What Cooper has is the processing ability and the ability to make crazy, rapid decisions across the court and understands how to map the court as a passer and playmaker. Plus, be able to, I think, play at a high level on defense… Cooper is a lot more solid and steady as an overall defender," Vecenie wrote.
While Zion dazzled with athleticism and highlight plays, Cooper's all-around game and basketball IQ make him a safer bet to deliver on his immense promise. Vecenie's intel on Flagg is "among the best I've ever gotten on a prospect."
The Dallas Mavericks were very lucky to get the top pick, and while some franchises were tanking the whole season just to get their generational star, there is no doubt that he will be the next big thing in Texas after Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki. Coop is not quite the generational unicorn that Wembanyama was, but in a draft class searching for a true franchise changer, Flagg is the clear S-tier prize.
In short, "The Maine Event" is as close to a sure thing as you'll find in the modern draft era — a player who combines Anthony Davis-level upside with a relentless drive to win. After a heartbreaking trade of their star, the Dallas fans were rewarded with a gem.
