Daring Cooper Flagg-led 2025 draft class take may have NBA GMs celebrating

The 2025 NBA Draft class is shaping as much as be among the finest ever, based on Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Headlined by Duke basketball’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey, Givony believes there are 4 totally different gamers with not less than 10% probability to be the No. 1 general decide.

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer is attempting to faucet the brakes on the Flagg hype.

“I’ve whole perception once we step on the ground that we really feel we’ve the perfect participant on the courtroom straight away,” Scheyer mentioned. “He will have a terrific season, however there’s going to be moments the place he has to develop, and that is what it is all about. We have had 18 years olds, we have had 19 years olds. However being a 17-year-old, it should be a course of.

An nameless NBA government had a red-hot take bout Flagg.

“I have never studied this class deeply sufficient but and I am certain our boards will all change, however from what I noticed at Hoop Summit and in Vegas with USA Basketball, good luck catching that man,” one voter informed Givony and Woo. “[Flagg] may begin for our staff tonight and make a huge effect along with his toughness, really feel and instincts on each ends. His capturing appears good additionally.”

With your entire faculty basketball season nonetheless to play and never starting till November, the 2025 NBA Draft would not occur for one more seven months.

Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and the remainder of the 2025 NBA Draft class

Flagg is simply 17 years previous. Bailey turned 18 in August. There’s hype for each draft class, and daring takes drive media engagement. Rutgers basketball, ranked No. 25 in ESPN’s preseason rankings, has Bailey and one other spectacular freshman Dylan Harper. Expectations are, in fact, by way of the roof.

Persons are speaking about Flagg probably successful the Picket Award, given to the nation’s finest participant. Solely three freshman have ever completed that feat: Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson. That is the extent of hype for Flagg.

Regardless that he has tamped the freshman’s expectations, Scheyer acknowledges how particular Flagg might be by way of protection from The Athletic’s Grace Raynor.

“I’ve seen numerous totally different seasons, totally different hype, totally different expectations. With Cooper, I don’t know if we’ve ever had a 17-year-old with as a lot consideration round him — and numerous it rightfully so with the highschool profession he’s had and what he’s achieved,” Scheyer mentioned.

“However we speak about all of the issues we will management. And that’s been our focus,” Scheyer continued. “Cooper does an incredible job of coming to apply to work day by day. I don’t assume he likes the eye, to be sincere. I feel he’s all about, he desires to be identical to the opposite guys when it comes to not caring in regards to the consideration, desirous to win, desirous to compete.”

Duke basketball begins their season on November 4 in opposition to Maine. Rutgers suggestions off their season on November 6 in opposition to Wagner.

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