Rising stars in college basketball don’t always come with an instant comparison, but when one is made, it’s hard to ignore. Enter Cooper Flagg, Duke’s freshman sensation, whose explosive athleticism has turned heads early on. His skill set has already drawn high praise and his very recent Zion Williamson-like dunk over the Pitts has got everyone out of their seats. But it’s a particular comparison that has the Blue Blood fans buzzing—former Duke coach Jeff Capel sees a high-flying 6x NBA All-Star in him.

Capel, reflecting on Flagg’s abilities during a recent podcast appearance, didn’t hold back. “A lot of times when you have some guys reclassify, it kind of messes with them a little bit. They had a guy there, Marvin Bagley, that did it, who was obviously super talented. But I don’t know if I’ve seen a kid like this. For me, I coached a kid like that, Blake Griffin, that was just so competitive. And it’s really awesome to see on tape. I don’t know how awesome it’s going to be able to see tomorrow night. But watching it on tape, man, as a fan of basketball, you love to see that,” Capela said.

For Flagg, whose electrifying dunk against Pittsburgh cemented his place on the map, the Blake Griffin comparison isn’t just about physicality. It speaks to his competitive fire and relentless drive to dominate the game, traits Griffin has long been known for. The Oklahoma alum averaged 19 points with 49% shooting and 8 rebounds per game during his stay in the NCAA.

Following the same route, the Duke No.2  is already showcasing his skills with 17.5 points on 45% shooting with 8.5 rebounds per game. The 6-ft-9 star is not simply showing how he can rule over college basketball as and when he likes but is also leading the Blue Devils across the board in numbers as well.

Speaking of domination, Cooper Flagg is not only ruling the hardwood but also the NIL rankings.

Cooper Flagg: Dominating the court and NIL rankings with unstoppable talent

As of January 2025, Flagg is not only impressing on the court but is also making waves off it. According to On3, Flagg ranks No. 5 overall in the nation and No. 1 in college basketball’s NIL rankings, with a valuation of $4.3 million. His rapid rise is no surprise, considering his impressive performances thus far.

Flagg’s statistics for the 2024-25 season are remarkable. Through 15 games, he’s averaging 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. His presence is not just about his scoring ability; it’s his versatility and his ability to impact every part of the game, from crashing the boards to protecting the rim.

In his most recent game, Flagg posted 19 points, including 14 in the second half, to lead Duke to a dominant 76-47 win over Pittsburgh. His performance included a highlight-reel dunk that saw him take the ball coast-to-coast, finishing with a powerful slam through contact. This play alone exemplified Flagg’s growing confidence and his tendency to rise to the occasion in high-pressure moments.

Cooper Flagg’s rapid development, both on and off the court, has placed him in a unique position. As comparisons to NBA stars like Blake Griffin grow, Flagg’s path forward seems destined for greatness. The real question is not if he’ll make it to the NBA but how quickly he’ll arrive—and how high he’ll soar once he gets there.