The 2024 NBA Draft Class is considered quite a weak one, but that’s not the case for 2025. Cooper Flagg is the headliner of the class, but Draft expert Jonathan Givony stated on NBA Today, that it isn’t a foregone conclusion he will go No. 1 because this group of prospects is the best he’s seen in a long time.
“If the draft were held tonight, Cooper Flagg I believe would be the No. 1 pick,” Givony said. “But there’s a long season in front of us and this is an outstanding group of prospects.
“If you want to talk about a contender, let’s think about right here in my backyard, Ace Bailey from Rutgers, 6’10”, incredible athlete,” Givony stated. “I was just out there at Rutgers last week sitting with NBA scouts. These guys were wowed by him, they said this guy could be the most talented long-term prospect in this group.”
“Cooper Flagg is an outstanding prospect, but he’s got some serious heat coming behind him,” Givony continued. “This is the best group of prospects that I’ve seen in my 20 years covering the draft and I can’t wait to see how it all pans out.”
At this point, Givony is giving Flagg a 51% chance of going No. 1. Bailey then comes in at 25%, followed by Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe at 10% each. As for that final 4%, that went to French guard Nolan Traore.
If Traore ends up going No. 1, it would be the third straight year that a Frenchman gets that honor, after Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher. Speaking of Risacher, it was the Atlanta Hawks who selected him with the first pick this year and you have to feel for them.
If the Hawks had gotten that pick in 2023 they would have landed a generational talent in Wembanyama and whichever team gets it next year looks set to have a host of great options to pick from. Hopefully, Risacher turns out to be a superstar to lessen the blow, but I can’t say I am too optimistic about that.
Kevin Garnett Thinks Cooper Flagg Could Become A Superstar
While Risacher isn’t really being talked about as a potential superstar, Flagg is. The 17-year-old was called up to be a part of the Select Team for Team USA’s training camp before the Olympics and put in some impressive displays. Based on that and how he carries himself, Kevin Garnett stated he sees a superstar in Flagg.
“I’ve seen Cooper Flagg play against NBA players… What I saw was a great test of what it’s gonna take to be on this level. I saw a little bit of it.”
“When it comes to being a leader with all the exposure he’s gotten in high school, he’s used to leading a team, he’s used to the attention, he’s used to walking to the gym and people knowing who he is.”
“That superstardom, that follows you. You have to have that to be on a team.”
“Cooper, I ain’t really heard him speak a lot but when I watch him play; he’s got superstar around him. I can see kids wanting to be like that and play like that.”
Well, that’s Garnett’s stamp of approval for what that’s worth. Flagg will have to have a dominant season at Duke if he is to go No. 1, though, as he’s got some stiff competition.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
