$2.5 million NIL-valued Cooper Flagg will have Zion Williamson-like impact at Duke, claims renowned sports investor
Renowned sports investor Joe Pompliano expects Duke super freshman Cooper Flagg to have a Zion Williamson-like impact while playing for the Blue Devils.
Pompliano expects Flagg, the No. 1-ranked high school prospect in the Class of 2024, to be the first college basketball superstar to play in the new NIL era. He compares the sudden rise of the 6-foot-9 Maine native, with NIL valuation worth $2.6 million(via On3) to former Duke player and New Orleans Pelicans star Williamson.
Back in 2018, the burly 6-foot-6 forward was also a high school sensation like Flagg. At a time when NIL deals weren't heard of, he was the hottest ticket in town, and Duke reaped the benefits of Williamson's stardom as a freshman.
"For example, the school added 358,000 Instagram followers during his time there more than all other college basketball programs combined during that time," Pompliano said (5:27).
The sports investor continued that the Williamson effect also impacted ticket prices, with rates jumping to an average of 178% when he and the Blue Devils came to town.
Pompliano further said that during Duke home games, some fans traveled from an average of 469 miles away to the Cameron Indoor Stadium just to see him. Some of those fans include LA Lakers superstar LeBron James and rap mogul Jay-Z who witnessed Williamson's rim-rattling plays.
In his lone season with Duke, Williamson averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Fans filled the stadium to witness the prospective No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. In Flagg's official college basketball debut against Maine, 9,314 fans showed up in Duke's 96-62 win over the Black Bears on Monday in Durham.
He didn't disappoint the spectators, tallying 18 points, on 6-of-15 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from free throws, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Sports investor classifies the difference between the eras of Cooper Flagg and Zion Williamson
Joe Pompliano also identified the difference between the eras of Cooper Flagg and Zion Williamson. He said the main difference was the league opening its doors for college players to earn millions while still in school through the NIL era.
Williamson could have benefited if he stayed for at least three seasons (including the COVID-19-shortened season that allowed players to stay for another year) as the NIL was implemented in June 2021.
Flagg currently earns $2.6 million in NIL, including a $1.4-million deal in New Balance. He also has NIL transactions with Gatorade and Cort Furniture (per On3).
"On3 has Flagg's NIL valuation listed at $2.6 million in potential earnings this year and that makes Cooper Flagg the country's fifth most valuable college athlete behind guys like Shedeur Sanders and Arch Manning," Pompliano said. (7:01)
He believes Flagg is placed to be the face of the NIL this year and just like Williamson, he'll get millions of views on social media with his excellent play.
The sports investor pointed out that the NIL deals will allow Flagg to enter the NBA draft with a fully-vetted business team. He added that, thanks to Flagg, fans will be able to see how the transactions can make an impact for a bona fide college basketball sensation.