2025 NBA Draft: Grading Every Aspect of Cooper Flagg's Game with Duke So Far

Cooper Flagg arrived at Duke with a level of hype few NBA prospects have had to live up to.

It's currently being validated, particularly over the past month with Flagg averaging 25.4 points on 57.9 percent shooting in January.

He's made adjustments and improvements in certain spots since November. And that gradual progression plays its own role in projecting Flagg's ceiling and his chances of reaching it.

Flagg ultimately needs to be graded in more areas than most for his position, just based on the many different layers to his game, and the fact that versatility is major driver in his overall value.

We deemed his use of physical tools/athleticism, creation, shotmaking, finishing, passing, defense and impact as the most important to focus on.

Strength and explosion in space have helped Cooper Flagg create easier scoring opportunities around the basket.

He has the ability to take off from two feet outside the restricted area and get to the rim before shot-blockers. A good chunk of his misses have been due to Flagg taking off too early or far away, which is more of a decision-making error. Otherwise, he's been mostly automatic in the open floor or when given room to load up.

When he's driving, he's using his body to get physical and shield his man from cutting him off. He moves defenders backward. He'll spin through them as well.

Considering he just turned 18 last month and he's already bullying transition defenses and individual defenders attacking the rim, it feels safe to assume that prime Flagg in his 20s will continue to be an athletic, physical force.

One area we haven't seen as much activity from Flagg is on the offensive glass, although some of that has to do with him being so involved in initiating plays from the perimeter.

Grade: A-

Cooper Flagg is being used more on the ball at Duke than he was at Montverde Academy. Getting triple the number of ball screens and roughly twice as many isolation chances per game, his development as a perimeter creator has been the driving force behind the visions of superstar upside, especially considering his age and the fact he can also operate as a big.

He's still most efficient from the post (15-of-24), showing he can fall away into makable jumpers or drop-step through defenders into the lane for easier touch shots. Flagg uses footwork, body control and strength effectively to overpower and either spin or pivot into open space.

While his ball-handling could use sharpening in tighter windows, it's functional for creating and getting to spots when he does have room to work one-on-one. He's effective using a quick jab or rip-through to attack into a running scoop. He likes the crossover in the mid-range into his pull-up, and though the execution hasn't been consistent, the fluidity of his dribble moves for separation remains encouraging. His 56 pull-up attempts are very promising, regardless of the results, as the tape shows an improved comfort level rising up or pulling back into balanced jump shots when the lane is clogged.

NBA teams should ultimately see a mismatch pick-and-roll ball-handler with how advantageous his size and shorter-range touch are for passing over the top or scoring on drives.

Throughout the season, he's flashed various moves to change direction or counter defenders. Between his size, ability to score using both hands and improvised shot methods, he's generating more offense for himself than even scouts expected in October.

Most of his turnovers occur around multiple defenders, whether he's trying to force it into traffic or an off-ball defender helps over to get an arm or body into Flagg's space. Still, a 31.5 usage rate to 13.9 turnover percentage is impressive.

Creation grade: B+

Cooper Flagg was 8-of-36 (22.2 percent) from three through his first 10 games at Duke. He went 17-of-40 (42.5 percent) over his next 10 games.

In comparison, he's made more threes through his first 20 games than Paolo Banchero did at Duke. And Flagg's 45 made total jump shots so far are more than Zion Williamson made his entire freshman year (27 total).

Shooting was considered the biggest hurdle to NBA stardom for Flagg coming into the season. That hurdle seems smaller now. His jump shot still isn't a strength, and opponents will choose to live with him beating them from behind the arc, but he's clearly capable and even dangerous once his confidence starts pumping.

From deep, Flagg has been better off catch (35.0 percent) than off the dribble (4-of-14). He's been more effective pulling up or stepping back inside the arc (38.1 percent), and it looks like shotmaking in the mid-range and from the post will be regular parts of Flagg's scoring repertoire at the next level. His mechanics do look somewhat stiff, but at his height, he's able to get his shot off in various ways.

He also has touch, which shows on his one-handers around the key (13-of-24) and free throws (81.1 percent).

Given the handful of other ways Flagg can score or impact games with passing and defense, the bar for his shooting will ultimately be lower relative to other NBA stars. And yet he's already showing signs that he can be a reliable shotmaker off the catch or via self-creation.

Shotmaking grade: B+

Shooting 62.0 percent around the basket, Cooper Flagg has generated some eye-opening finishing highlights while still showing a need to make adjustments.

There isn't much defenders can do if he has an open runway to the rim or room to load up. Power, a strong standing vertical and hunger for dunking translate to above-the-rim finishes, either through contact or after exploding past it.

Below the rim, he loves to get to the low blocks and use angles and the backboard. Both of his hands are threats.

He's only shooting 54.9 percent on lay-ups, which is considered average among NCAA players, per Synergy Sports. The misses can be clearly chalked up to two issues: Decision-making and an obvious preference to elevate off two feet, which can mean having to slow down, gather and give defenders an additional millisecond to get position.

The decision-making has to do with Flagg taking off too early—again, usually off two feet— rather than taking one extra step to gain more separation and get closer to the rim.

Finishing/interior scoring grade: B+

Cooper Flagg is the only player in the nation with 20 dunks and an assist rate of 25.0 percent. It's unusual to see players with his size and athleticism play-make or pass the way he can.

He maintains his vision off dribble penetration, making him an effective setup man in ball-screen situations. He clearly has some point-forward IQ/feel, and at his height, he's able to see more and pass with fewer physical disruptions.

This is a big reason why coach Jon Scheyer uses him often to initiate offense—because of his ability to leverage gravity and turn it into quality looks for teammates.

He's also a good stationary quarterback from behind the arc with the recognition to find cutters or shooters running off screens. He can generate a lot of power on his passes, which shows when he's doubled or under pressure and has to skip the ball across the floor to the corners.

Flagg also uses post-ups purposely to facilitate, as he draws and anticipates double-teams and looks ready to quickly move the ball and force defenses to scramble.

Passing: A

The advanced defensive stats paint Cooper Flagg as disruptive and highly impactful.

A 2.7 steal percentage highlights his ability to react and make plays aggressively on the ball with his quickness and IQ. He's also top-three in both defensive box-plus minus and defensive win shares, rare territory for a freshman to be in.

On the ball, he gets low and locks in. If there is an area he needs to focus on more, it's contesting shooters. It may be that he's coached to go under screens or leave certain shooters to help, but the tape does show a lot of made jump shots where Flagg is supposed to be the primary defender.

Otherwise, his movement at 6'9" and motor/competitiveness have been obvious pluses on the defensive end for the nation's No. 3 defensive team.

Defensive grade: A-

Duke is the No. 2 team in the nation, and Cooper Flagg leads it in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals (tied) and blocks (tied).

He also had 22 points, 11 boards, four assists and five stocks in a win over current No. 1 Auburn in December.

Since then, he's only shown more improvement during Duke's 14-game winning streak. Flagg recently went for 42 points against Notre Dame and followed with 24-plus points in three-of-four games, including a close one against North Carolina State when he took over in the second half.

Earlier in the season, he fumbled a few big plays late in losses Kansas and Kentucky. Granted, he was a 17-year-old in the first month of college basketball, tasked with being a No. 1 option. He's gradually become more effective in that role, showing he can create something out of nothing and take control when the team needs. In the meantime, he impacts games in other ways with his transition play, passing and defensive activity.

But the competitiveness is a big intangible that separates Flagg from other top prospects, both in this class and previous ones. His passion and drive to make plays and win are visible and seemingly contagious.

Regardless of how confident NBA general managers are in his shooting development, ball-handling or talent, they're all going to value and covet Flagg's killer instinct.

Impact grade: A+