ESPN insider makes his feelings clear on Cooper Flagg’s NBA Draft stock after loss to Kansas
Seth Greenberg, an ESPN college basketball insider, talked about Cooper Flagg's NBA potential after No. 11 Duke's 75-72 loss to the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday. Flagg put up 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The freshman guard has averaged 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 45.8%.
Greenberg spoke about how far Cooper Flagg can develop beyond college to the NBA.
"He's going to be the No. 1 pick, but the problem is, in the NBA, there's spacing and the 24-second clock,” Greenberg said on Wednesday on ESPN's morning show, "Get Up."
"He's playing with no space right now, but when he gets to an NBA roster, there will be tremendous space, which will give him room to make plays. So, right now, he's playing with his short court. Basically, he's playing in a crowd.”
Greenberg compared Flagg to a few NBA stars as he mentioned that the NBA provided an ideal environment for him to thrive.
“When he plays with better players, he'll have a greater impact on the game," Greenberg said. "I'm not sure he's going to be Jayson Tatum or Mo Wagner, but he's got a little bit of each of those guys. He'll eventually be a big-time shooter."
Jon Scheyer reacts to Kansas loss
After Kansas (6-0) beat Duke (4-2), Duke coach Jon Scheyer gave an open assessment of his squad.
“Well, it’s been a hell of a trip for us (winning 69-55 on Friday at then-No. 17 Arizona), and I’m really proud of my team," Scheyer said. "So, disappointed, wanted to win badly for our guys, I want to win badly, but we’re going to learn so much and be better from this.”
Scheyer gave an overview of the Blue Devils' goals this season and highlighted what Duke is capable of.
“We focused the whole summer and preseason on being at our best in March. That doesn’t mean you want to sacrifice winning in November,” Scheyer said. "Every game we play, we come in to win with the expectation that that’s what we can do and should do. Tonight was no different.”
Up next, Duke will host the Seattle Redhawks (on Friday) and the No. 4 Auburn Tigers (Dec. 4) before visiting the Louisville Cardinals (Dec. 8).