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Jeremy Woo
Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA draft, leads Duke into the Remaining 4 in opposition to Houston on Saturday (8:49 p.m. ET, CBS), and his distinctive play begs the query: To which NBA gamers — each previous and current — does he greatest evaluate?
ESPN talked to NBA executives and scouts, who got here up with 5 comparisons primarily based on Flagg’s growing offensive expertise, versatility and defensive prowess.
Participant comps, although usually divisive, are inextricable from how prospects are mentioned amongst scouts. Whereas imperfect, they are often helpful in setting expectations and envisioning roles a participant may develop into.
“I need to know, worst-case state of affairs, if we’re utilizing a choose on this man, give me somebody who made the league who he reminds you of,” one Western Convention government instructed ESPN.
“It builds the case to say why he is an NBA participant. You may give me two guys, this participant with a facet of that participant, even a man from an older period. It is a neater promote when you may say this man jogs my memory of that man.”
Flagg’s first-team All-American season makes him a difficult case research as a result of elite prospects have particular qualities that set them aside. The range of their talent units usually think of a number of completely different gamers without delay.
Listed here are 5 gamers whom NBA scouts inform us they’re leaning into as they undergo their very own evaluations for Flagg. These comps are designed as an instance his vary of outcomes and spotlight his strengths on either side of the ball.
Leap to a Flagg comp:
Jayson Tatum | Kawhi Leonard
Lamar Odom | Scottie Pippen | Andrei Kirilenko
Bio: Small ahead; 6-foot-7; 227 kilos
Drafted: No. 15 total in 2011 by the Indiana Pacers (traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft evening)
NBA entrance workplace take: “[Flagg]’s actually good defensively and could be a sport changer on that finish just about instantly along with his measurement, effort and IQ. He is all the time been an excellent defender and the offense is coming alongside. It is a very comparable path to the one Kawhi was on early in his NBA profession, as a man who had all these actually helpful qualities, after which entered as an actual two-way power as he rounded out his sport.” — a Western Convention scout
The place the similarities begin: What Leonard grew to become within the NBA — an efficient perimeter scorer who may tackle any matchup defensively at his peak — could be a improbable consequence for Flagg.
There are stylistic similarities between them: On the offensive finish, neither performs the prettiest fashion with the ball in his arms, however they every depend on stability and footwork within the midrange, make performs for teammates and would moderately assault the basket and go downhill than accept 3-point photographs. Leonard advanced right into a No. 1 possibility within the NBA; the massive query hanging over Flagg is whether or not he’ll change into that degree of scorer.
Defensively, each gamers use their measurement and instincts to disrupt opponents and the circulate of opposing offenses. Flagg, at 6-foot-9, is extra of a shot blocker — he has been deployed by Duke as a roving ahead away from the ball. Leonard’s bodily power and large arms made him one of many league’s most devastating wing stoppers at his peak. This comp factors to the truth that Flagg’s affect on profitable video games, coupled with additional offensive improvement, may elevate him into franchise-player territory in the identical manner.
The place the similarities finish: Leonard had a once-in-a-generation kind of developmental arc. Unpolished as an influence ahead at San Diego State, he advanced right into a two-way wing dynamo and Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs, then shifted into extra of an offensive-minded power halfway by his profession. His accomplishments and outlier progress trajectory make Leonard a difficult comp.
To Flagg’s credit score, he is effectively forward of the place Leonard was coming into the NBA when it comes to offensive consolation degree and on-court success — and at a youthful age. Whereas participant improvement is nonlinear and unpredictable, that bodes effectively for Flagg’s future as a scorer: His freshman numbers present he is on a quicker monitor than Leonard, who entered the draft as a 20-year-old sophomore.
Leonard has a extra developed higher physique with a 7-3 wingspan. Flagg is taller and extra lithe. He does not have Leonard’s excessive size, measuring with a 6-11 wingspan on the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. Flagg might supply extra scheme versatility, with the scale to protect greater forwards, however won’t evolve into the true wing stopper Leonard was in San Antonio — few gamers may lock up one-on-one matchups on the wing the best way Leonard did in his Spurs years.
What the numbers say: Leonard and Flagg had been very completely different school gamers, as evidenced by their stats, which underscore Flagg’s development in comparison with Leonard’s sophomore season at San Diego State in 2011.
Flagg’s effectivity (60% TS), playmaking (5.6 assists per-40 tempo adjusted) and luxury from the 3-point line (37% to Leonard’s 27%) are effectively forward, pointing to his degree of polish. Leonard’s rebounding outpaces Flagg’s, and his steals are about on par, however he wasn’t close to the extent of scorer or initiator, growing these expertise over time within the professionals. Whereas nothing is a given, there’s motive for optimism that Flagg will additional blossom as an offensive possibility as he matures.
Bio: Energy ahead; 6-10; 220 kilos
Drafted: No. 4 total in 1999 by the LA Clippers
NBA entrance workplace take: “Simply the convenience and luxury degree dealing with the ball on the perimeter — we discuss [whether] guys are inside gamers who develop outdoors or perimeter gamers who take their sport down low. Flagg has had such consolation on the perimeter. Odom stuffed out and was a late progress spurt man with ball expertise. You like a man who at 6-10 can play with the power of being a 6-3 guard.” — Western Convention government No. 1
The place the similarities begin: Utilizing Odom, a two-time NBA champion and NBA Sixth Man of the Yr winner, as a low-end comparability captures the intrinsic worth of Flagg’s versatility. If Flagg plateaued as a scorer, his potential to operate as a degree ahead, make performs for teammates and engender flexibility within the lineups performed round him would nonetheless be additive.
Odom usually functioned as an outsized ball handler within the NBA and successfully performed level guard at Rhode Island in 1998-99. His profession took off after leaving the Clippers for the Warmth, then being traded to the Lakers as a part of the 2004 Shaquille O’Neal deal. With the Lakers, Odom’s potential to play everywhere in the flooring on offense and canopy a number of positions defensively made him an important a part of the 2009 and 2010 title groups.
Whereas expectations for Flagg are increased than they had been for Odom, the considered him as a degree ahead who additionally adjustments the sport defensively factors to his distinctive ceiling.
The place the similarities finish: Flagg’s developmental trajectory is on monitor to surpass Odom’s manufacturing within the NBA. Odom was a standout performer who led Rhode Island to the Atlantic 10 championship in his lone school season, however Flagg’s affect on a title contender units him aside. Odom’s off-court struggles contributed to him not reaching his ceiling in his NBA profession. Execs I’ve spoken to haven’t any issues about Flagg off the courtroom.
What the numbers say: Odom averaged 17.6 factors, 9.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per-40 in his lone season at Rhode Island, capturing 53% on 2s, 33% on 3-pointers and 68.7% from the road. (Tempo-adjusted stats from that period had been unavailable).
Flagg’s season has put him forward of Odom in each class, underscoring that this comparability is maybe overly conservative, however Odom’s all-around manufacturing helps body the place the comp comes from.
Bio: Small ahead; 6-8; 210 kilos
Drafted: No. 3 total in 2017 by the Boston Celtics
NBA entrance workplace take: “Each of them at Duke offered actually positively as guys that had been going to have a few off-ramps to be tremendous profitable. We’re seeing that with Flagg not too long ago, he is had poor capturing nights like in opposition to [Alabama in the Elite Eight], and nonetheless was tremendous impactful [toward] profitable. … Folks questioned each of their photographs, which turned out to be a foolish concern, in all probability. They each have actually good really feel offensively in a manner that is simply unusual for his or her measurement and utilization. — a second Western Convention government
The place the similarities begin: A one-and-done out of Duke, Tatum has developed into one of many NBA’s greatest gamers in his mid-20s, turning into the anchor of a championship workforce in 2024. A gifted scorer in highschool, Tatum developed from a midrange participant right into a extra well-rounded offensive possibility over time.
Flagg and Tatum are comparable, with the previous listed an inch taller and each measuring with 6-11 wingspans. They had been each inflexible and mechanical bounce shooters in highschool, notably from 3-point vary.
Tatum’s balanced, high-volume offensive profile with the Celtics reveals how Flagg may develop into an identical function — notably if his future workforce guides him towards excessive utilization. Tatum has had success with out being a top-flight 3-point shooter, along with his percentages settling within the mid-to-high 30s on excessive quantity, however not putting him among the many league’s elite. He has expanded his passing potential over time, topping out this season with a career-high 5.9 assists per sport.
The place the similarities finish: Stylistically, Flagg and Tatum had been a lot completely different as school freshmen. Certainly one of Tatum’s weaknesses as a prospect was his shot choice and restricted passing acumen — and it took time for him to vary his fashion. Flagg is a extra achieved playmaker for others, greater than doubling Tatum’s assists per sport at Duke, and the passing figures to be extra central to his offensive worth within the NBA. Flagg’s shot choice is a little more team-friendly, however whereas he has made strides creating his personal shot within the half courtroom, Tatum was extra polished.
Flagg will enter the NBA as a extra impactful and targeted defender than Tatum, who has improved with the Celtics however was by no means identified for his protection as a prospect. Tatum has realized to make use of his measurement and flexibility to his benefit and rebounds his place at a excessive degree. Anticipate Flagg to be extra impactful defensively as a rookie and probably in the long term.
What the numbers say: The stats once more present the prodigious nature of what Flagg is doing at his age: His school numbers stack up effectively with Tatum’s.
His superior passing is on show (5.6 assists per 40 adjusted to Tatum’s 2.6), and the superior stats (+37.3 internet score, +14.5 BPM) seize a few of his broader defensive affect on a extra profitable Duke workforce. Tatum wasn’t far behind when it comes to effectivity (57.3% true capturing to Flagg’s 60%).
Bio: Small ahead; 6-8; 228 kilos
Drafted: No. 5 total in 1987 by the Seattle SuperSonics (traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft evening)
NBA entrance workplace take: “I say Scottie as a result of he may have been a No. 1 man, and was after MJ left [Chicago], however he grew to become by far one of the best No. 2. I feel Cooper might be a hell of a No. 2, however he may want a high 10 [player] operating mate with him. He can clearly show me incorrect, however I do not see him as a No. 1 man on a championship workforce in his profession.” — a Jap Convention common supervisor
The place the similarities begin: This comp is a lofty solution to illustrate Flagg could be greatest used alongside one other elite participant who can shoulder a heavy scoring load. Pippen is thought to be one of the best “second star” ever, pairing with Michael Jordan to win six championships with the Bulls within the Nineties. This comparability underscores Flagg’s affect in each different space, however there’s nonetheless immense upside if he does not grow to be an No. 1 caliber scorer.
Pippen was by no means a top-flight scorer and thrived in a do-it-all function alongside Jordan that enabled him to exert extra of his power on protection. Flagg’s offensive items could be greatest suited in that vogue, along with his wonderful passing and ballhandling permitting him to thrive as a hybrid level ahead.
The place the similarities finish: Pippen was extra of a dynamic athlete who bullied defenders with physicality and in transition, utilizing his power and size to create benefits. It is too early to know the way Flagg’s body will change, however he does not play with the identical diploma of power.
Flagg’s really feel and perimeter expertise are effectively forward of Pippen, who started as a walk-on at Central Arkansas and did not change into an NBA prospect till a late progress spurt modified his trajectory. The actual fact Flagg is a a lot better shooter already suggests he may surpass Pippen’s offensive affect, though that does not assure Flagg will flip into a real No. 1 scorer.
What the numbers say: Whereas the distinction in eras and degree of competitors does not make this essentially the most statistically vital comparability, the Pippen comp captures Flagg’s potential to replenish a field rating and affect the sport on each ends.
Pippen averaged 23.6 factors, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists and three.1 steals as a 21-year-old senior at Central Arkansas in 1986-87 (blocks weren’t recorded at the moment), pointing to an all-around affect, albeit at a decrease degree. He was a late bloomer who grew to become probably the most versatile gamers of the Nineties however took a pair NBA seasons to interrupt out.
Bio: Small ahead; 6-9; 220 kilos
Drafted: No. 24 total in 1999 by the Utah Jazz
NBA entrance workplace take: “Kirilenko led the NBA in blocks! I do not see Flagg doing that. [Kirilenko] had the power to expend extra on the defensive finish as a result of he was a task participant offensively. Kirilenko doing three blocks a sport [at his peak] as a non-center is unimaginable, in an period the place there weren’t as many possessions. … However you undertaking Flagg to be rather more significant on the offensive finish.” — Western Convention government No. 1
The place the similarities begin: This comp was thrown round ceaselessly with Flagg previous to the season. Flagg’s mentality and affect on that finish of the ground led many scouts to invoke the 2004 All-Star from Russia, who was one of many higher defenders upon his arrival to the NBA. Kirilenko led the league in blocks (3.3 per sport) at his peak in 2004-05.
Flagg’s ranginess and instincts as a defensive playmaker are the driving power behind this comp.
The place the similarities finish: The extra we have realized about Flagg, the much less this comp is smart. Kirilenko was far behind Flagg offensively at an identical stage. Kirilenko peaked at 16.5 factors per sport within the NBA, was by no means a prolific outdoors shooter or versatile scorer, nor somebody able to heavy offensive initiation. Flagg’s offensive aptitude clears the bar right here — his passing potential and intuitive really feel make him a really completely different participant.
Additionally, Kirilenko had a 7-foot-4 wingspan, which contributed to his prolific shot blocking.
What the numbers say: Kirilenko’s rookie season line in Utah (2001-02) noticed him end third in NBA Rookie of the Yr voting, with 10.7 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.9 blocks and a 55.3% true capturing clip in 26 minutes per sport. He hardly shot 3s and made 48% of 2-point makes an attempt.
Assuming full well being, anticipate Flagg to surpass these offensive totals, with extra minutes and possessions headed his manner within the NBA. It is not going Flagg’s block numbers will attain that extent, however the affect ought to be there nonetheless.
