ESPN Star Makes Strong Cooper Flagg Statement Before Duke-Houston Game

ESPN star Jay Bilas spoke about Cooper Flagg.

Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after scoring a basket during the first half against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg has had a magical freshman season for the Duke Blue Devils.

The 18-year-old led the team to the Final Four, where they will face off against Houston (on Saturday in San Antonio).

Via Real Sports: "Cooper Flagg is the youngest player in NCAA history to record 30/5/5 in a tournament game."

Cooper Flagg is the youngest player in NCAA history to record 30/5/5 in a tournament game. pic.twitter.com/NTrunqHvP6

— Real Sports (@realapp_) March 28, 2025

Before Saturday's big game, former Duke player (and current ESPN star) Jay Bilas made an appearance on The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

He shared a strong statement about Flagg.

Bilas (via The Ringer): "Flagg is the best freshman, I think best, most complete freshman Duke's ever had. Nobody has done what he's done as a freshman at Duke... There aren't that many that have done what he's done as a freshman... He's a different cat competitively... He hasn't been outplayed... Which is pretty impressive."

Who is the better prospect after one year at Duke: Cooper Flagg or Zion Williamson?@JayBilas joined @ryenarussillo and shared his take. pic.twitter.com/M1YOlL5dUJ

— The Ringer (@ringer) April 1, 2025

Flagg has averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.4% from the three-point range in his first 36 games.

At this point, he is nearly a lock to be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer.

Via Evan Sidery of Forbes (on March 24): "Current odds to land Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery:

Wizards: 14%
Jazz: 14%
Hornets: 14%
Pelicans: 12.5%
Sixers: 9.8%
Nets: 9.7%
Raptors: 7.5%
Heat: 6%
Bulls: 4.5%
Spurs: 3%
Blazers: 2%
Rockets (via Suns): 1.5%
Kings: 0.5%"

Current odds to land Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery:

Wizards: 14%
Jazz: 14%
Hornets: 14%
Pelicans: 12.5%
Sixers: 9.8%
Nets: 9.7%
Raptors: 7.5%
Heat: 6%
Bulls: 4.5%
Spurs: 3%
Blazers: 2%
Rockets (via Suns): 1.5%
Kings: 0.5% pic.twitter.com/kcTWmJZgRg

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 24, 2025