Duke’s Cooper Flagg has long been considered the front-runner for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and his grip on that top spot has only strengthened over time. Since last year, he has led ESPN’s Top 100 rankings, and in recent months, the gap between him and the rest of his draft class has grown even wider.
Flagg’s dominance has drawn lofty comparisons in the league. One Western Conference general manager is likening him to a prime Kawhi Leonard. He elaborated on the comparison, highlighting the key qualities that make Flagg a special prospect.
“The best comp I’ve heard from our scouts is prime Kawhi Leonard. Now, that’s not perfect because they are very different players at the same age,” the GM said.
“The best comp I've heard from our scouts is prime Kawhi Leonard.” 👀
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 21, 2025
– Western Conference general manager on Cooper Flagg
(Via @DraftExpress ) pic.twitter.com/7Zmy4YFMei
“Kawhi’s D was ahead of his offense. He has a lot of the same manufactured qualities to his handle and shooting. Think about his unwavering confidence and relentless work ethic combined with his physicality, IQ, and tools that’s what helped him become an MVP candidate and the best player on a championship team,” he added.
Cooper Flagg’s Winning Mentality Sets Him Apart
An Eastern Conference executive shared his thoughts on Cooper Flagg’s defining trait. He shared how the Duke star’s impact on the game is about more than just stats.
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“The best thing Cooper Flagg does is drive winning. It sounds cliché, but all the intel we’ve gathered, every interview we’ve done with current and past coaches, teammates, trainers, etc., all point to that same concept in different variations. It’s what fuels him every day,” the executive said.
Flagg’s ability to impact every aspect of the game has been evident throughout the ACC season, where he led Duke in all major statistical categories. His dominance, however, hit a brief roadblock when he suffered an injury in Duke’s ACC Tournament quarterfinal win. Fortunately for Duke, Flagg stepped back onto the court for their NCAA Tournament opener against Mount St. Mary’s.
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