When it comes to producing top-tier talent, Duke is in a league of its own. Think about it, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, Grant Hill, Jayson Tatum- the list just keeps on going. And this year, there’s a new name ready to join that elite company, the Maine event Cooper Flagg! The 18-year-old NPOY contender has been putting on a show for the Blue Devils and is already projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Some fans are even throwing around comparisons to legends like Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen! Sportswriter Bill Simmons, however, has an entirely different opinion.

In his YouTube channel, Bill Simmons talks about Flagg in detail and compares him with another Duke graduate, the Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum! He says, “There’s more Tatum with me(on who he thinks is similar to Flagg) and I think maybe there’s a Duke parallel with them too but the way the Celtics use Tatum now as a point forward who can defend all these different positions on defense and I feel like that’s gonna be Flagg’s destiny.” 

That’s some serious praise coming from a guy known for being extra critical. But let’s be real, Cooper Flagg still has a long way to go if he wants to reach Jayson Tatum’s level! Even Bill agrees, pointing out to the fact that Flagg really needs to improve his ball-handling if he’s going to make it big in the NBA. He’s only 18, though, so there’s plenty of time to grow!

Maybe that’s why Flagg is willing to delay that $400 million NBA payday for another year? I mean, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to sign a $398.5 million rookie extension, right? But maybe, just maybe, his decision isn’t about the money but about improving himself as a player before stepping foot inside an NBA court? Bill might have an answer to this!

In the same podcast, Bill says, “I am already worried about the lottery because there’s a couple of teams where I am like oh man I just don’t want him to go there.” He continues by giving the example of LeBron at Cleveland, ” I don’t want him to go to like a bad team where we had this NBA infection, we have had for 50-60 years where we take these great talented players and just stick them in bad situations… you just lose a couple of years.” 

Not wanting to be at a lottery team might be one of the reasons why Flagg might be hesitating to go to the NBA draft this season? Maybe he wants to follow the footsteps of Jayson Tatum and join a team like the Celtics? We will never know! But all signs are still pointing towards him entering the NBA draft. But for now the focus in on the NCAA championship!

Cooper Flagg wants to win the NCAA championship with Duke

Two weeks ago, when Flagg declared that he wanted to come back for another year at Duke, it shocked the whole basketball community. But he had his reasons straight. “I always wanted to play in college at the highest level and compete for a national championship,” “That sort of thing is what I dreamed about.”

It is clear that Flagg wants to deliver the championship which the Blue Devils haven’t won since 2016! and so far, he’s been nothing short of spectacular! Averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and shooting 49.1% from the field, he’s already in the conversation for National Player of the Year alongside Auburn forward Johni Broome.

His Duke side are currently ranked 2nd in the country and sit at top of the ACC with a 16-1 record! With only three games left in the regular season, all signs point towards Duke making a deep postseason run. Who knows, the freshman might just secure that championship he’s always dreamed of! Stay tuned for more updates!