2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg Scouting Report

Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.

Cooper Flagg

Position: Forward

College: Duke

Class: Freshman

Height/Weight: 6'8", 221 lbs

Birthdate: December 21, 2006

High School: Montverde Academy (FL)

Player Overview

Cooper Flagg is a high-energy forward who blends elite motor, defensive versatility, and offensive skill. Known for his relentless effort, Flagg is a three-level scorer with a knack for getting to his spots on offense. His agility and court awareness enable him to make simple but highly effective plays, and his confidence, while bold, is well-balanced and not detrimental to team success. Flagg’s defensive instincts are exceptional, as he takes pride in stopping his man, showcasing switchability across positions 1 through 5, and altering shots with his length and timing.

Flagg does, however, have room to improve in certain areas, particularly his off-ball movement and emotional discipline. His tendency to settle for jump shots rather than exploiting mismatches by driving downhill is another area for growth. Despite these minor concerns, Flagg’s potential to be a generational talent makes him the favorite for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Strengths

• Motor and Effort: Flagg never takes a play off, consistently impacting the game on both ends of the floor.

• Defensive Versatility: His ability to switch across all five positions and disrupt shots with elite length makes him a defensive cornerstone.

• Three-Level Scoring: Flagg can score from beyond the arc, mid-range, and at the rim, showing a polished offensive game.

• Basketball IQ: Makes simple, effective plays that maximize team efficiency.

• Length and Timing: Uses his wingspan to alter shots, close out from distance, and rebound effectively.

  
  

Concerns

• Off-Ball Movement: Needs to stay more active off the ball, particularly in offensive sets.

• Shot Selection: Occasionally settles for jumpers instead of driving downhill, where his strength and physicality can dominate.

• Emotional Discipline: Can become frustrated after mistakes, leading to gambles or fouls on ensuing possessions.

• Consistency from Deep: Flagg has shown shooting potential but needs to become a more reliable threat from beyond the arc.

  
  

Questions

• Generational Upside: Has Flagg shown enough offensive polish to justify the “once-in-a-decade” label, or is further development needed to reach that ceiling?

  Defensive Versatility at the NBA Level: Which positions can Flagg realistically guard in the NBA, and will his elite instincts offset any physical mismatches?

  Scoring Evolution: Can Flagg take the next step from being a skilled, efficient scorer to becoming a true offensive focal point and closer at the pro level?

  
  

Bottom Line

Cooper Flagg possesses a rare blend of size, skill, motor, and defensive versatility that gives him the foundation to become a true franchise cornerstone. He’s a high-level two-way contributor with the competitive edge and basketball IQ to impact winning from day one. While areas like shooting consistency, off-ball engagement, and emotional discipline still need refinement, his floor is exceptionally high—and his ceiling could be generational. With continued development, Flagg has all the tools to become not just an All-Star, but one of the defining players of his era.