During a recent episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony delivered a blunt assessment of Duke freshman Cooper Flagg.
In comparing top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, Anthony noted that players like Ace Bailey resemble previous stars, while Flagg stands out in a way rarely seen.
“We’ve seen Ace. We’ve seen Paul Georgee. We’ve seen Kevin Garnett. We’ve seen Tracy McGrady. We’ve seen Melos. We’ve seen Jayson Tatum. Like, we’ve seen Ace. That’s why he’s not being talked about. That doesn’t take anything away from him, but visually we’ve seen him, right?,” Anthony said, via HoopsHype, listing similar past prototypes.
He continued, “We haven’t seen — and not to make this black and white — but we haven’t seen a white boy like that in a long f****** time.”
Anthony’s remark came just days after the Dallas Mavericks secured the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, a selection widely expected to be used on Flagg.
Flagg, who declared for the draft following a dominant freshman season at Duke, averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game across 37 starts.
He was named both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year, joining elite company including Zion Williamson and Marvin Bagley III.
Flagg also set the all-time freshman single-game scoring record for Duke and the ACC with a 42-point outburst against Notre Dame on January 11.
He capped the season by leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four, where they fell narrowly to Houston.
With a 6-foot-9 frame, versatile defensive tools, and a polished offensive skill set, Flagg is considered the consensus No. 1 pick in most mock drafts.
Dallas, which traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers and finished 10th in the West, won the draft lottery despite long odds.
The franchise now has an opportunity to rebuild around veterans Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis with a foundational prospect.
The Mavericks have never had the top overall pick before and enter the June 25 draft with a chance to reset their trajectory.
