Teenage basketball sensation Cooper Flagg ‘kicks butt’ in showcase against US Olympic team featuring LeBron James

In a room stuffed with NBA superstars, it was a child popping out of highschool that stole all the eye at a apply for the US Olympic basketball crew on Monday.

17-year-old Cooper Flagg confirmed off his abilities in opposition to a few of the finest defenders within the NBA – together with Anthony Davis, Jrue Vacation, and Bam Adebayo to call a couple of – in a surprising show that stole headlines.

The inbound Duke freshman was a part of the choose crew invited to work out in opposition to the Olympic squad throughout their coaching camp and Flagg already regarded like he belonged.

‘The chance, it was nice,’ Flagg stated. ‘It was a blessing to be right here. 

‘I believe simply the physicality, and simply the extent of the place I need to get to, there’s so much to get higher at, so much the place I must maintain enhancing. This confirmed simply how massive the small print are.’

He will certainly get higher. That may be a scary idea.

‘He kicked butt right here,’ U.S. choose crew coach Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic stated. 

‘There is a respect issue for what he is achieved. Individuals who haven’t seen him play, as he will get himself going inside the recreation, they rapidly see what he can do.’

The choose crew is often made up of younger NBA gamers, introduced in to scrimmage the nationwide crew and assist them put together for both World Cup or Olympic competitors. 

Flagg was the primary school participant requested to be a part of the choose crew since Doug McDermott and Marcus Good had been requested to hitch a mini-camp in 2013.

However these conditions weren’t wherever close to the identical as Flagg being a part of this camp. McDermott had performed 110 school video games for Creighton at that time and was a two-time consensus All-American. 

Good was coming off a freshman season when he gained Huge 12 rookie of the yr and participant of the yr honors at Oklahoma State. They had been already confirmed.

Flagg has zero school factors. He nonetheless proved lots on this camp.

Cooper Flagg (31) places up a dunk on defender and Miami Warmth star Bam Adebayo (13)

Flagg stated he was ‘actually excited for this chance’ including ‘It was a blessing to be right here’ 

‘He needs it,’ U.S. guard Devin Booker stated. ‘I do know this expertise, he’ll take with him and transfer ahead.’

In Monday’s scrimmage – the Olympic crew beat the choose crew 74-73 – Flagg was in the course of every part down the stretch and regarded completely snug. 

And when it was over, there have been loads of footage with everybody; the choose crew’s ultimate day in camp was Monday, although some could also be invited to stay round to proceed helping the Olympic squad.

‘To have the ability to do what he did, not even taking part in a university recreation, not to mention an NBA recreation, there is no concern,’ choose crew ahead Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Warmth stated. ‘It is relentless. And the factor that you would be able to inform about him is that he simply has a knack and the need to win. 

‘He does not want the ball. He simply finds a option to it. And the ball finds its option to him. That is one thing that you would be able to’t educate. He is simply acquired a terrific really feel for the sport.’

Flagg is a 6-foot-9 ahead from Newport, Maine, however performed his final three years of highschool basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida. 

Flagg (31) shakes arms with USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr after the apply

Three generations of Duke Basketball gamers (L to R): Jayson Tatum, Grant Hill, and Flagg

He selected Duke over Connecticut, was USA Basketball’s male athlete of the yr in 2022 after main the People to gold on the U17 World Cup, and was the Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the Yr, Naismith Participant of the Yr and a McDonald´s All-American in his ultimate highschool season.

‘I used to be shocked, I used to be shocked, and I used to be actually excited for this chance,’ Flagg stated. ‘And I am simply actually blessed that I used to be in a position to come out and capitalize on it and present what I’ve. I used to be actually grateful to come back out and be taught. 

‘That was the largest factor for me, simply having the ability to be taught and develop, to share a gymnasium with all of those nice, nice names. Legends. So, I am simply really blessed.’