Cooper Flagg: The Unstoppable Force in College Basketball
When Julius Hodge, a former NBA first-round pick and 2001 McDonald’s All-American, took his Division II Lincoln Lions to face the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium, he knew the odds were stacked against them. It was an October exhibition game, but the real question on Hodge’s mind was about the legend of Cooper Flagg. Was the hype real?
Hodge got his answer quickly. “My overall impression was that he’s as good as advertised,” Hodge said. “It is extremely difficult to be as good as everyone is claiming you are, and I think he definitely met and surpassed that mark.”
Fast forward five months, and Flagg is not just living up to the hype; he’s exceeding it. The likely national player of the year is on the verge of joining an elite group of freshmen, like Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis, who have led their teams to national championships. Duke, ending the regular season as the No. 1 team in America, is favored to win it all in San Antonio, thanks in large part to Flagg’s dominance.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg has an attitude on the court that stems from being an overlooked kid from Maine. This chip on his shoulder has turned him into the ultimate winner, a problem for every opponent. Five months into his collegiate career, no one has figured out how to defend him effectively.
Flagg’s Offensive Arsenal
Flagg is a three-level scorer who can get fouled, make free throws, and crash the offensive glass. He can grab a rebound and lead the transition himself. “And probably, the thing that he does best, is he plays hard,” said North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis.
So, how do you stop him? The short answer is you can’t, really. You can only hope to slow him down with the right combination of size and physical play. Few have succeeded, but Arizona will try again in Thursday’s Sweet 16 game. In their last encounter, Flagg scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked three shots.
NBA-Ready Talent
Flagg is already being talked about as an NBA-ready player who could be in the running for rookie of the year next season. Georgia Tech head coach Damon Stoudamire, who won the award in 1996, said players at this level aren’t equipped to handle Flagg’s tools. “He has a great feel for the game, and he has all the measurables and the intangibles to be a great player,” Stoudamire said.
Flagg’s skill set isn’t the only thing that sets him apart. “He has a mean streak,” said Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young. “He is tough. He is rugged. There is not a soft bone in his body, and he will flatten your nose for you if you aren’t ready to go.”
Challenges and Adaptations
Paul Peterson, head coach of Utah’s Wasatch Academy, faced a similar challenge when preparing his team to face Flagg in high school. “We put two guys on the floor at one position and said, ‘Well, he probably has the strength of two of these regular kids.’ But he jumps way higher than them,” Peterson said. Despite their efforts, Flagg’s team won by 30 points.
Even at the collegiate level, coaches have struggled to find a way to contain Flagg. Leonard Hamilton, former head coach at Florida State, said Flagg is among the best he’s seen. “This edition of the Duke Blue Devils, they are the most efficient, executing team that we played against in the Duke era,” Hamilton said.
Finding Flaws
Even the greats have weaknesses, and coaches have tried to exploit them. Pitt head coach Jeff Capel thought he found a flaw in Flagg’s reliance on his left hand. But Flagg quickly debunked that theory with a highlight-reel dunk over 7-footer Guillermo Diaz Graham.
Flagg’s ability to adapt and improve is what makes him so special. After struggling with his shooting early in the season, he went home over winter break to work on his shot. The result? He made 44% of his 3-point attempts in ACC play.
The Road Ahead
As Flagg’s collegiate career winds down, the focus will shift to his future in the NBA. Mark Madsen, head coach at Cal, believes Flagg has all the tools to excel at the next level. “It looks like his teammates love him,” Madsen said. “That’s not always the case with a player of his caliber.”
Flagg’s relentless drive and competitive spirit have left coaches in awe. “It’s deflating. It’s like this kid is so darn relentless,” said Virginia Tech’s Mike Young. “It’s exhausting playing against him.”
As Duke prepares for the Sweet 16, teams like Houston, Michigan, and Maryland will be looking for ways to stop Flagg. But even with a game plan, executing it is another story.
Hodge, who witnessed Flagg’s talent firsthand, isn’t betting against him. “He wants to win everything,” Hodge said. “Every single possession, he wants to win.”
Originally Written by: Myron Medcalf
