NBA assistant: Duke’s Cooper Flagg was ‘unbelievable’ against Team USA

Cooper Flagg is only 17 years old, but according to those in attendance for Team USA’s scrimmages against the select team, he already looks like a pro. 

The incoming Duke freshman and projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft reportedly impressed against Team USA, with select team and Indiana Pacers assistant coach Jim Boylen calling him “unbelievable,” according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Sam Amick.

“Cooper Flagg was unbelievable,” said Jim Boylen. “He’s not scared.”

Boylen’s comments echoed numerous others, including Flagg’s on-court teammate and Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., who said the 17-year-old was “playing out of his mind.”

According to Vardon and Amick, they didn’t officially release the box score from the final scrimmage, but the belief was that Flagg scored between 14 and 17 points in what was ultimately a 74-73 Team USA victory. 

While Flagg was the first college player to play for the select team since Doug McDermott and Marcus Smart in 2013, he left a major impression on those in attendance.

While the rave reviews poured in, one current NBA head coach reportedly said Flagg was the best player on the select team, per Marc J. Spears of Andscape.