NBA Exec on Cooper Flagg: 'Let's Not Forget He Should Be in High School Right Now'

Cooper Flagg is the best player, on the best team, in men's college basketball this season. But as questions loom about whether he'll ultimately declare for the NBA draft or shockingly return to Duke for another season, it's easy to forget that he only turned 18 in December.

"I would be surprised if he stayed, but maybe he's not ready for the real world yet and just wants to be a kid?" an NBA executive told ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo while discussing Flagg's future. "Let's not forget he should be in high school right now."

Because Flagg reclassified and graduated in the spring of 2024, he was able to enter college a year early. But going back to Duke for a second season would be a stunner, simply because he's the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NBA draft after averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks this past season, impacting the game in just about every way possible.

"I can't remember a No. 1 pick deciding to go back to school," an Eastern Conference scout told Givony and Woo.

And the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to Flagg.

"There's not many holes [in his game]," an NBA general manager. "He'll guard all over the floor, can pass, can put it on the floor, and he'll have better players around him, more space in our league. The only thing to knock is he's had chances to go win the game, and has slipped on the floor two or three times trying to make the play."

That won't deter NBA teams, though Flagg has to ultimately decide if he's ready to leave Duke after the 2024-25 season.