ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports that Cooper Flagg currently holds a “stranglehold on the No. 1 pick conversation” for the upcoming NBA draft. Flagg’s exceptional performance during conference play has solidified his status as a top prospect.
In 13 conference games, he posted an impressive Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 32.7, a notable increase from his 24.8 PER across 10 non-conference matchups. Additionally, Flagg achieved a remarkable PER of 36.1 in January, coupled with a True Shooting Percentage of 70.7 percent.
Givony highlighted Flagg’s dominance by noting, “While other prospects have seen their production decline in conference play, Flagg has emerged as the best player in college basketball, and he has a chance to cement his legacy at Duke with a Final Four run. He’s the country’s most competitive and versatile defender, and he has a stranglehold on the No. 1 pick conversation with the myriad ways he affects winning despite turning 18 in December.”
Flagg’s consistent excellence has positioned him as the frontrunner for the first overall pick. Should this prediction hold, he would become the fifth Duke player to be selected No. 1 overall since 1999, joining an elite group that includes Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero.
Cooper Flagg Has 'Stranglehold' On Being No. 1 Pick In 2025 NBA Draft https://t.co/a4lbV8DLbf
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 12, 2025
