NCAAB analyst Jay Williams raves about Cooper Flagg; calls him the most exciting player in CBB since Zion Williamson
Cooper Flagg is seen by many as one of the most anticipated players to watch in college basketball and analyst Jay Williams went as far to compare him to a former college sensation in Zion Williamson.
Williamson wowed basketball fans, grabbing national attention throughout his time in high school before enrolling at Duke. In 33 games with the Blue Devils, he displayed dominance with 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. He went on to be the top pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, being selected by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Flagg has played first two games as a Blue Devil, both being victories for the team. He has impressed many with his performances, drawing praise from Williams after the team's 100-58 home win over Army on Nov. 8.
“Special, man. I’ve seen it since his time at Montverde. He just plays with a different pace and a different type of mentality," Williams said.
“Cooper Flagg is the most exciting player we’ve had in college basketball since Zion Williamson. Now, he may not jump off the page the way Zion Williamson did because of the 360 windmill dunks that Zion is still doing in the league but his versatility [is special].”
Flagg's rise in high school, expectations with Duke this season
Flagg was a must-watch player throughout his time in high school, when he first played for Nokomis Regional before moving to Florida to join Montvere Academy.
He maintained his national standing as a top player and was rated as the consensus top recruit in the Class of 2024 by various outlets. He was named a McDonald's All-American and Gatorade National Player of the Year, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game in his last high school season. He led Montverde to a perfect 34-0 record en route to the program's eighth championship.
He has contributed in many areas on the court for Duke. He is averaging 15.5 points, nine rebounds, four assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in his first two games, showing plenty of promise for a program in search of its first national championship since 2015.
Flagg will look to continue his solid start for Duke when the Blue Devils play Kentucky at the State Farm Arena on Nov. 12 at 9 p.m. ET in the Champions Classic showcase.