Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg received a stamp of approval from one of the game’s greatest players, LeBron James.
LeBron James Raves About Cooper Flagg
On the latest episode of Mind the Game, James and Steve Nash spoke about the Flagg and the NBA Draft.
James has been watching Flagg for years, especially on the AAU circuit. James would see Flagg at tournaments he attended for his son, Bronny.
One thing that James loved about Flagg was how he stayed true to his roots and played with kids from his home state of Maine. Many high school prospects are recruited to play on nationally recognized AAU teams that are essentially all-star teams. Flagg did the opposite.
“Cooper, unlike a lot of kids, he played for his team out of Maine,” James said. “Him and his brother and a bunch of those guys he grew up with … and he made them competitive against a bunch of stacked teams. Him and his brother, I thought that was just super cool.”
Like Flagg, James did the same thing when he was a teenager by playing AAU with friends and kids from his area.
Unlike most rookies, Flagg is stepping into a situation where he doesn’t have to be the top option. Veteran players likle Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving can take the pressure off Flagg to carry the load like he did at Duke.
James and Nash believe this approach will only help Flagg’s development.
“I personally think that he wants to be great,” he said. “He had a hell of a year at Duke. A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump.
“And also, he has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys — Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — right off the bat. Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. You know, these guys are like, they can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.”
James has no doubts that Flagg will become one of the league’s top players.
“I think that will be an incredible thing to have that type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day from those pieces,” James said. “So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”
Cooper Flagg Played Against LeBron James During Olympic Practices
17-year-old Cooper Flagg vs Anthony Davis during a 2024 Team USA scrimmage pic.twitter.com/4g6gOY9fE8
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 15, 2025
This season will not be the first time James suits up against Flagg.
Last summer, Flagg was a member of the Olympic select team that scrimmaged James and Team USA before the Olympics.
At times, Flagg looked like the best player on the select team. He memorably hit a contested 3-pointer over Anthony Davis and converted a putback shot in the lane.
Flagg will soon become Davis’ teammate as the Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
