Why Cooper Flagg is one of the NBA's most intriguing prospects of the last 15 years

The Dallas Mavericks are set to take former Duke star Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall in Wednesday's NBA Draft.

For about two years, Cooper Flagg has been expected to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft. That will finally become a reality Wednesday, as the Dallas Mavericks are set to select the former Duke star first overall.

The biggest question during draft week, then, is not who will go No. 1, but what kind of player the Mavericks will be getting in one of the most intriguing prospects of the last 15 years.

“He trends like LeBron James,” said Brian Scalabrine, who played 11 years in the NBA and has been training with Flagg since he was in his early teens. “LeBron has a beautiful mind when it comes to this game. Cooper’s brain is right on par with those guys. They just process the game differently.”

Ace Flagg, Cooper Flagg (center), and former NBA player Brian Scalabrine.NBC News“I really think he’s going to be one of those guys who makes people around him better,” said Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, who coached Flagg on the USA Select Team last summer. “People might get caught up in his numbers. But I think he’s going to be one of those pluses that’s always on the floor, all the while finding his range and his space.”

Grant Hill, the managing director of USA Basketball, said Flagg's best attribute is his versatility.