“It was incredibly special. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was young, playing college basketball, and I dreamed about playing at Duke as well.” Cooper Flagg was all joy after delivering an excellent show in what was his debut with the Duke Blue Devils. While his performance led the team to an emphatic victory of over 50 points against Lincoln, it sent the fans into a frenzy who were nothing but sure about his status as a top NBA draft prospect.

Making his much-anticipated debut in the blue and white after a year of announcing his commitment, Cooper Flagg didn’t disappoint the eager fans who had been buzzing about him. He kicked off the scoring with a smooth jump shot inside the paint, quickly putting Duke on the board. Within just three minutes, he showcased his defensive prowess with two impressive blocks, including a stunning rejection that bounced off the backboard.

The 17-year-old, stood out among the Blue Devils, leading the team with an impressive 22 points. He shot 8-of-16 from the field and nailed 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. In addition to his scoring, Flagg showcased his all-around game with a game-high six assists, four blocked shots, and two rebounds. That impressive night also included an excellent dung that left the fans amazed.

With the NCAA season kicking off in just a couple of weeks, and it likely being the only season Cooper Flagg will play in college, fans are buzzing with excitement. They quickly took to X to respond to a post featuring a highlight reel of Flagg’s standout performance from the game, speculating whether he could land a spot among the Top 3 picks in next year’s NBA draft.

Fans rally on Cooper Flagg’s future  of becoming a top NBA draft prospect

Cooper Flagg made quite a name for himself during his high school career. He started out at Nokomis Regional in Maine, where he showcased his skills and even earned the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year award. Recognizing his talent, Flagg then made the move to Montverde Athletic Academy in Florida, a well-known program that further elevated his game. Originally part of the class of 2025, he decided to reclassify to 2024, setting his sights on entering the NBA draft sooner than expected.

Given his stature and performance, there were already speculations of him being the No.1 pick in the next year’s draft of the NBA. And as he gave a glimpse of his caliber even in college basketball in an exhibition game against Lincoln, there were some fans who outrightly declared his NBA future, saying the No.1 is the position he deserves.

“Top 3? It’ll be one of the easiest 1st overall picks we’ve seen😂“

“1st pick“

While Flagg is the clear favorite for the No. 1 pick, he’s not without competition. One of his biggest threats for that top spot is Airious Bailey from Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights, who has also been turning heads. However, fans don’t seem too concerned about any rivalry. In fact, one fan humorously dismissed the idea of competition, sarcastically commenting on the Top 3 debate, asking if LeBron James or Victor Wembenyama were re-entering the draft, posing a threat to Cooper’s first position.

“Top 3!?!? Are wemby and LeBron James in the draft too? “

However, despite his impressive debut, Flagg still has room for growth, particularly in his rebounding skills. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer pointed this out, noting, “You know he can rebound more,” while praising Flagg’s performance. One of the fans echoed a similar sentiment in their comments, recognizing the need for improvement. However, that hasn’t stopped them from firmly believing Flagg deserves the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft.

“2 boards is sus, but definitely number 1 next year “

Though Cooper Flagg is set to enter the NBA next season, his landing spot remains uncertain, with no concrete details yet. One thing is clear: Flagg has always been a die-hard Boston Celtics fan, a sentiment he’s made no secret of. When asked about Celtics legend Kevin Garnett, he shared his admiration, saying, “Being a Celtics fan, obviously he is a big Celtics figure,” during an interview with Pinkvilla earlier.

While there’s no official word on whether he’ll end up with his childhood favorite, Boston fans are rallying behind him. A Celtics-themed fan page even commented just one word which was enough to reinforce the belief that Flagg could very well be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

“uno“

As Cooper Flagg’s journey unfolds, his talent, passion, and growing fanbase make him a thrilling prospect for the NBA. Whether he joins his childhood favorite, the Boston Celtics, or another team, he has got a big fanbase ready to root for him.