Chris Paul gives massive praise to projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Chris Paul gives massive praise to projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and has impressed many observers in recent memory, including future Hall of Famer Chris Paul.
Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American.
The 18-year-old is busy training during the predraft process and has spent some time in Los Angeles, California. Paul has joined him in the gym on a couple of occasions and can see why he is the clear choice to be the top pick on June 25.
"I'm just like everybody else: I'm a fan," Paul said on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. "I was at home in L.A., and I was watching the ping-pong balls like everybody, and when I saw the Spurs pop into the top four, we were going crazy. Guys on my team (in the) group chat, we were like, 'What is about to happen?' I'm in L.A. right now, and Cooper Flagg has been out there. I've been in the gym with him a couple of times, or whatnot. He is as real as advertised."
Flagg entered last season with tremendous expectations as the consensus top recruit in the class of 2024. He was highly touted as the likely top pick in the draft and lived up to the hype after becoming the face of the sport this past season.
The 6-foot-8 forward has drawn comparisons to former Duke legend and Hall of Famer Grant Hill because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games in various ways. Former coach Mike Krzyzewski even called him the best freshman to ever play with the Blue Devils.
After trading away cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks hope Flagg can step in and be their long-term solution. Should Flagg indeed hear his name called first, the ACC Freshman of the Year will become the sixth Blue Devil to be selected as the top pick.
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