Cooper Flagg Compared to Kevin Garnett, Anthony Davis by NBA Exec Amid Duke Success

Duke forward Cooper Flagg has become the most hyped NBA prospect since Victor Wembanyama, with his length, athleticism, playmaking, defense and overall two-way impact conjuring up any number of impactful power forwards from the past.

One Western Conference executive compared him to Kevin Garnett and Anthony Davis given his shot-blocking prowess and ability to switch on defense, according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, adding that he would immediately be one of the top two-way players in the NBA.

"He does have very good handles for a power forward," the executive noted regarding his offensive game. "Good footwork, and he plays his ass off. There's no question he's going to be a good player in the NBA, but the question is how good."

"I have heard very little doubt about the kid," an Eastern Conference executive added. "Everyone around Cooper has raved about him for three years."

Flagg has lived up to the hype for Duke thus far, averaging 15.5 points, nine rebounds, four assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in two contests, though the season is obviously very young. The one knock against Flagg is that his shooting needs to develop to become a true superstar at the next level, and that has borne out early in college—he's shooting 44 percent from the field but just 25 percent from three.

But it's early days, and Flagg is still only 17 years old. His ability to impact the game in all facets continues to impress, and it's hard to imagine he won't be the top overall pick at next summer's NBA draft.