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Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif
For months, Cooper Flagg has been touted as the first pick in the 2025 draft, but also as Victor Wembanyama’s future rival. However, one American analyst has taken a moment to qualify the rhetoric surrounding the young Duke big man.
Mavericks fans will be able to rejoice in a few days, as their franchise holds the first pick of the draft. This effectively means they’ve taken Cooper Flagg, the favorite to win the prize for years. His excellent season at Duke has only confirmed the hopes placed in him, and there are many of them.
While Kyrie Irving will be sidelined for part of the upcoming season, the young prodigy will still have the opportunity to play alongside a superstar in Anthony Davis. Their duo in the Dallas frontcourt looks promising, especially on defense, as both players have undeniable qualities.
Cooper Flagg, the next Anthony Davis?
Truth be told, it seems Flagg was destined to become The Brow’s teammate. At least, that’s what Sam Vecenie of The Athletic suggests:
He isn’t quite at the Victor Wembanyama level of prospect over the last 20 years, but he belongs in the Anthony Davis tier. Barring injury, he’s about as can’t-miss as it gets.
An analysis that also serves to dampen the hype surrounding the former Duke player. Indeed, he has long been considered Victor Wembanyama’s next big rival, or even the new standard-bearer of American basketball. However, Vecenie doesn’t see him reaching the same heights as the Frenchman.
That said, being compared to an NBA champion like Anthony Davis is far from an insult, as the latter is one of the best players in the league when healthy. Flagg will therefore be able to learn a lot alongside the former Laker, without necessarily modeling his game after him. When asked about the players who inspire him most in the league, The Maine Event was very clear about his outlook:
Definitely, Steph (Curry). Steph’s jump shot. That’s a pretty easy answer. I like watching KD, Tatum… different guys, offensively. But I don’t really say I like to model or try to take things from anybody.
It’s true that imagining Flagg with a shot worthy of the Chief’s is enough to excite Mavs fans. Now all that’s left is to put it into practice next season.
