The buzz surrounding Duke Blue Devils’ freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has only intensified as he continues to dominate at the collegiate level. While most experts consider him the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, there has been speculation that Flagg might stay at Duke for another year.
This has sparked intense debate about his future, with former NBA guard Keyon Dooling making a bold statement about the need for an American-born white superstar in the league.
“Well, it matters, but it doesn’t because these guys have NIL money now. So, it’s not like they’re living off their PELL grants, Matt, like how you and I were, or getting NIL under the table. I think he has a great opportunity right now because at the end of the day, when you’re considered the #1 pick, the only way you can go is down.”
“But, I like player freedom. If you choose to stay in college and get that experience, if that’s your in-game and that’s something you’re enjoying right now, do it. But I think our game needs Cooper. We talked about this a couple episodes ago. We need an American born white player, in my opinion, to come in and represent.”
During a recent episode of the All The Smoke podcast hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Dooling spoke about Flagg’s potential impact on the NBA. His comments have since gone viral, sparking conversation about the historical significance of Flagg’s rise.
Dooling’s remarks stem from the fact that no American-born white player has been selected No. 1 overall in nearly 50 years. The last to achieve this feat was Kent Benson in 1977, who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. Before that in, 1974, Hall of Famer Bill Walton was selected as the top pick by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Since then, many of the NBA’s top draft picks have been either Black American players or international prospects, with recent No. 1 picks like Victor Wembanyama (France), Paolo Banchero (Italy/USA), Cade Cunningham (USA), and Anthony Edwards (USA) being more representative of the league’s evolving diversity.
Meanwhile, many of the best white players in the NBA today—Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Domantas Sabonis—are all international stars.
The increasing dominance of European-born players in the NBA has been a talking point for years. Players like Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Wembanyama have become the faces of the league, winning MVPs and leading their teams to championships. Dooling’s comments suggest that there’s a void of American-born white superstars, and Flagg could be the player to change that narrative.
While race should never be the defining factor of a player’s worth, Dooling’s perspective touches on the broader marketing appeal and representation in American basketball. Throughout history, players like Larry Bird and John Stockton became iconic figures, showing that white American players could be among the league’s elite. However, since Bird’s era, the NBA has largely lacked a white American-born superstar of that caliber.
Flagg, a 6’9” forward with elite skills, athleticism, and defensive instincts, has all the tools to be a generational player. His ability to dominate both ends of the court has drawn comparisons to some of the NBA’s greatest two-way players. If he declares for the 2025 NBA Draft and lives up to expectations, he could be the first American-born white player in decades to be the face of the league.
For now, Flagg remains focused on leading Duke to a national championship, but the NBA world is already eagerly awaiting his next move. Whether he enters the draft or stays another year in college, there’s no doubt that he is already one of the most talked-about prospects in recent history.
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