Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg carries Zion-like hype, but he faces big battle to go No. 1 overall

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Cooper Flagg, Duke — The top-ranked prospect in the national high school class of 2024 is arguably the most anticipated college freshman since Zion Williamson. Flagg is a 6-foot-9 native of Maine who reclassified up last summer, essentially skipping a grade of high school, and wouldn’t even be eligible for next year’s draft if he were born ten days later. Instead, he enters college basketball with the early expectations of being the top overall pick. He’s an exceptional defensive player, and one of the best non-seven-foot shot-blockers I’ve ever evaluated. Offensively, he’s an exceptional passer with some point forward type potential, but the extent to which he is able and willing to step into a signature role offensively will be one variable scouts follow next year.2

Ace Bailey, Rutgers — Bailey may not yet have the national notoriety that Flagg does, but he made a rapid charge up the high school rankings last year and ended up being a very real contender for Flagg’s No. 1 ranking. Bailey is a big wing with absolutely explosive athleticism and tough shot-making ability on top of that. He’s nowhere near as polished as Flagg, nor as prepared to consistently impact winning, but when he gets it going, his highest-level flashes can be reminiscent of Tracy McGrady and…


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Author : Adam Finkelstein

Publish date : 2024-06-27 14:48:02

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