Duke sensation Cooper Flagg gets major props from LeBron James and Kevin Durant: “They’ve been pretty welcoming” 

Incoming Duke freshman Cooper Flagg impressed fans and NBA players with his performances during the practice sessions for U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. The forward was part of the Select Team along with Brandin Podziemski, Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs and Jabari Smith Jr. among others.

Cooper Flagg was the only collegiate player present and is the first since Doug McDermott and Marcus Smart. The national team is stacked with legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and more. When asked about his interactions with the NBA players, Flagg said:

“They’ve all been pretty welcoming. They're appreciative of us (select team) being here, kind of getting them getting ready, gearing up. So, it's all just welcoming, and they're just telling me to keep working and stay grounded."

"It was just an honor to come out here and compete,” Flagg said. (via nba.com) “Every one of them reached out to me.”

In an interview with ESPN, Cooper Flagg revealed that he was shocked when he received the invite from Grant Hill, a Duke alum and the executive director of USA Basketball.

"I was shocked. I was surprised, and I was really excited for this opportunity. And I'm just really blessed that I was able to come out and capitalize on it and show what I have.

"I was really grateful to come out and learn. That was the biggest thing for me -- just being able to learn and grow, to share a gym with all of these great, prominent names. Legends. So, I'm just truly blessed."

---

Cooper Flagg is set to make a spectacular college debut

With the practice sessions all done, Cooper Flagg will be returning to Duke for his training with his new teammates. The Blue Devils have rebuilt their roster completely with just two returning players: Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor.

In his senior year at Montverde Academy, the forward averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. He shot 54.8% from the field and was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year.

Talking about Flagg on The Devil’s Den podcast, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said:

“The thing I love about him is he wants to be coached, he wants to be pushed.

"He’s added to our environment. He’s added to the culture we’re trying to build because he’s come in with a chip on his shoulder. No entitlement, he’s been just hungry to work.”

After an Elite Eight exit last season, the Blue Devils will hope for a deeper postseason next year, culminating in a title win.

---

Will Cooper Flagg be the one to end Duke's nine-year championship drought? Let's know in the comments section below:

​