Team USA impressed by Duke-bound Flagg after scrimmage
Incoming Duke freshman Cooper Flagg was as advertised during Team USA's scrimmage against the U.S. select squad Monday in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-9 forward had several explosive moments for the select team and even showed off his shooting touch during Team USA's 74-73 win Monday.
Duke commit Cooper Flagg has taken over USA Basketball scrimmage: hits a three and then finishes a tough putback pic.twitter.com/SB3Y4fDpYt
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2024
"He kicked butt here," Orlando Magic and select team head coach Jamahl Mosley said, according to ESPN. "There's a respect factor for what he's done. People who have not seen him play, as he gets himself going within the game, they quickly see what he can do."
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez, who was also on the select squad, praised the 17-year-old's performance.
"To be able to do what he did, not even playing a college game, let alone an NBA game, there's no fear," Jaquez said.
The top recruit in the 2025 class said he'll use this opportunity as a learning experience.
"I was shocked, I was surprised, and I was really excited for this opportunity. And I'm just really blessed that I was able to come out and capitalize on it and show what I have," Flagg said.
NBA icon LeBron James also appeared to approve of the future Blue Devil's performance.
LeBron James shows Cooper Flagg love after the 17-year-old Duke commit finished a breakaway dunk during USA Basketball training camp scrimmage pic.twitter.com/5aPw8Lmtmw
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 7, 2024
Flagg was the first college player in over a decade to be invited to the select team, which typically comprises young NBA players brought in to scrimmage Team USA ahead of Olympics and World Cups.
Team USA will play its first exhibition game against Canada on July 10 in Las Vegas. Its Olympics group contains Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.