He is the Maine Event. The Great White Hype. The next Larry Legend.
Everything you’ve heard, read, or seen about Cooper Flagg is true. He’s the real deal.
Flagg has been on the radar of practically every NBA executive ever since his buzzy performance as a then 17-year-old against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was just a simple three-day scrimmage in Las Vegas, but it was more than enough to convince many basketball decision-makers that Flagg is worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
While playing for the USA Select Team, Flagg made some eye-opening plays against a U.S. Olympic squad loaded with NBA stars and all-world defensive players. He made a 3-pointer over Anthony Davis. On the next possession, he had a putback plus an and-one over Bam Adebayo. A few moments later, he connected on a turnaround jumper over Jrue Holiday.
Even though Flagg was fresh out of high school when he was invited to the USA Basketball camp, he certainly didn’t look out of place or intimidated.
Kevin Durant told HoopsHype that Flagg looked like a “hell of a player,” someone who will only get better with more experience. “Seventeen years old coming in here playing like he’s a vet almost. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign,” Durant said.
After a one-year pit stop at Duke where he had an incredible freshman season — powering the Blue Devils to the Final Four and sweeping all the major college basketball awards — Flagg is ready to take his talents to the NBA. He is a unique, generational talent who has the potential to become one of the faces of the league.
OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best prospects in the 2025 NBA draft (the list is updated through April with the expectation that these players are declaring for the draft).
1-Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Scottie Pippen
Scouting report: Flagg is such a unique talent that evaluators are finding it difficult to frame an accurate NBA comp for him. Some observers compare him to Andrei Kirilenko, some say it’s Grant Hill or Scottie Pippen because of the similarities in body type. Flagg is a huge Larry Bird fan. It’s ironic both Flagg and Bird lost in the national championship game in their final collegiate games. Bird lost to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State squad in 1979 and Flagg fell short against Houston in 2025. When Flagg was in elementary school in his hometown of Newport, Maine, his parents gave him DVDs chronicling Bird’s career. From that point, Flagg was hooked on Larry Legend. “What we tried to instill in our kids is that however you can have an impact on winning, that’s the most important thing,” Cooper’s mom Kelly told Yahoo Sports. Just like Bird, Flagg doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. He’ll do whatever is required to win a game. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said when your best player doesn’t care about statistics and only cares about winning, it is contagious. Flagg led Duke in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). He made 38.5% of his threes and shot 84% from the free-throw line. What separates Flagg from other prospects is his defensive instincts. Flagg (measured at 6-8, 221 pounds at the NBA combine) uses every bit of his 7-foot wingspan and 40-inch vertical to lock down his opponents, whether it is out in the perimeter or near the basket. He has remarkable timing in blocking shots, a skill set that sets him apart from other wing players. “He makes hard plays look easy,” ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg said.
2-Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Paul George
Scouting report: Airious “Ace” Bailey is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA draft. His baseline NBA comp is probably Shaedon Sharpe but his ceiling could be Paul George. And Paul George would agree. If George had to pick between Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, he’d choose Bailey. “I think Ace is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside. I think Ace has a little bit more upside to him,” George said. Ace and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Bailey and Harper had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons for Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Bailey is a gifted athlete who can score at all three levels. He is bouncy but wildly inconsistent offensively. He is a tough one-on-one cover because of his size and elite athleticism, and he’s got the perfect frame (6-8, 202) to be a solid wing player. Scouts love his shot-making ability, but scouts are terrified of his shot selection. He chooses a higher degree of difficulty over simplicity. He takes a ton of bad shots, which is a tough habit to break. He’ll need to clean that up and prove to teams that he can play inside a structured system.
3-VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Victor Oladipo
Scouting report: According to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, Edgecombe hasn’t fully realized how good he can be at the next level. Fraschilla thinks Edgecombe’s ceiling is Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, but a more realistic comparison is Victor Oladipo. Edgecombe is an ultra-athletic 6-4 off-ball wing who plays with the same fearlessness as Wade and Oladipo. He is nearly unguardable when he puts his head down and drives to the basket. Part of the frustration with Edgecomb was that he was a little passive and deferred too much despite his well-rounded game. Edgecomb has to understand his natural tools. He has above-average athleticism and must know when to hunt for his shot when the right moment arises. In two games against NCAA tournament runner-up Houston, Edgecomb averaged 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and was 11-for-19 from the field. Before moving to the U.S., Edgecombe spent his childhood in the Bahamas. He’ll be following in the footsteps of other Bahamian ballers in the NBA, including Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton.
4-Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Jalen Brunson
Scouting report: Dylan Harper is a triple-double threat whenever he steps on the court. The son of former NBA player Ron Harper is a big combo guard (6-5, 213) who can fill up a stat sheet. And just like his father — a four-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers — Dylan uses his big frame to get to his spots without getting rushed. Harper is a bigger version of Jalen Brunson. He is not an explosive athlete but plays under control. He is crafty, uses angles well, and is comfortable on ball screens. Like most lefties, he tends to lean on his strong hand a little too much and declares his initial move. Dylan recorded the first triple-double for Rutgers since 1983 when he produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a victory over Columbia. Harper and Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Both had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The disappointing Rutgers season might be a dark cloud hanging over Harper during the draft process.
5-Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
NBA comparison: Norman Powell
Scouting report: Tre Johnson is the archetype of what NBA execs are looking for in a wing. He is big (6-5), has good length (6-10 wingspan), and can score at all three levels. Johnson, 19, averaged 19.9 points per game in his one-and-done season at Texas. He showcased his creative shot-making ability against stout competition in the SEC. Johnson could be a Normal Powell-type professional scorer with room to grow into a solid combo guard. He might have the best mid-range jumper in this draft class, and he uses his size to score over defenders on dribble handoffs and mid-post isolations. Tre moves well without the ball, capable of being a catch-and-shoot threat. He shot 37% from 3-point range, which should make his transition from college to pro pretty easy. With a name like Tre, he should be able to knock down threes. He does struggle guarding his position, but his size will help him mitigate that weakness. Tre claims to be a “big basketball nerd,” which is a plus. NBA teams love to hear that. He has shown good work habits and is willing to go the extra mile to improve his game.
6-Derik Queen, forward-center, Maryland
NBA comparison: Elton Brand
Scouting report: When Maryland needed a basket to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, coach Kevin Willard asked his players in the huddle during a timeout who wanted to take the last shot. Freshman Derik Queen delivered a strong message. “Give me the motherf******* ball,” he said. Willard drew up a play for Queen and the 20-year-old from Baltimore delivered in the clutch as he banked in the game-winning shot as time expired. The buzzer beater showcased Queen’s repertoire. He flashed his crafty handle in a crowded space while making a tough, contested shot. He’s the ideal 4-man or small-ball 5 as he can trigger the offense from the mid-post. You can envision him being used as an offensive hub out of “horns” sets. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism but he has outstanding footwork for a 6-9 big and he has great touch around the basket comfortable using either hand. The 3-pointer is not in his tool box yet, but with more reps — he was a 75% free throw shooter at Maryland — he’s capable of extending his range. He does need to remake his body (weighed 247 at the combine) when he gets to the NBA, but with proper training and a more disciplined diet he should be able to tone his body. The Big Ten freshman of the year was a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in the tourney, averaging nearly a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) for the season. The other cool nugget about Queen is that he was Cooper Flagg’s high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.).
7-Walter Clayton Jr., guard, Florida
NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
Scouting report: Maryland coach Kevin Willard said Walter Clayton Jr., 22, reminded him of Steph Curry “a little bit of how good he is off the dribble.” It might be absurd to compare Clayton to the greatest shooter in basketball, but he does look the part. Clayton — named the most outstanding player of the 2025 Final Four after leading Florida to a national title — might be closer to Jamal Murray than Curry. Like Steph and Jamal, Clayton shoots the ball well off the bounce and stays balanced even under duress with a quick release. He is also supremely confident and isn’t afraid of taking (and making) big shots — check out the video from the Elite Eight when Clayton dropped two dagger 3-pointers in the final 1:50 to advance the Gators to the Final Four.
When he is rolling, few can contain Clayton. He led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Clayton was a highly recruited high school football safety, but turned down offers from Notre Dame and Georgia. His football background shows in his game. He doesn’t shy away from physicality and plays through contact.
8-Egor Demin, guard-forward, Brigham Young
NBA comparison: Josh Giddey
Scouting report: The 6-9 point-forward with a 6-10 wingspan flashed some of his immense potential with a near triple-double (11-8-8) in BYU’s upset win over third-seeded Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Many Demin detractors point to his shooting woes (27% from 3-point range) as a major red flag, but it is hard to ignore the other brilliant facets of his game. Demin plays with remarkable poise for a 19-year-old and relies on his great instincts to make the right play. He has above-average handles for a 6-9 player and throws dazzling passes in traffic. He is creative with the ball and does not get rattled when trapped. His court vision and decision-making out of pick-and-rolls are elite. He’s able to whip passes over and around defenders. Defensively, his great positional size makes him an ideal defensive helper or low man helper around the basket, and he has enough lateral quickness to keep up with twitchy guards. Demin was born in Moscow and played one year in Europe for Real Madrid. He’s a plug-and-play prospect despite his age and inconsistent jumper.
9-Maxime Raynaud, forward-center, Stanford
NBA comparison: Lauri Markkanen
Scouting report: Raynaud is a skilled 7-footer who made a big jump from his junior year to his senior year at Stanford. He bumped up his points from 15.5 to 20.2, raised his rebounds from 9.6 to 10.6, and improved his blocks from 0.8 to 1.4. These are significant bumps that cant’ be overlooked. It means his arrow keeps point up and he’s developing at a really good pace. The Frenchman could be an ideal pick-and-pop center at the next level. He shot 36.7% of his 3-pointers as a junior and 34.7% as a senior. He’s not a banger so he’ll need to bulk up and add more muscle to his 236-pound frame. He does have a nice post-up game to go with his face-up jumper. He prefers to stay out in the perimeter, but he has decent touch around the basket and can score with either hand. Like most bigs, he lacks lateral quickness which could expose him against strong one-on-one players. Raynaud boosted his draft profile with a strong showing at the NBA combine in Chicago, especially during the 5-on-5 scrimmages. He projects more of a 4-man rather than a 5-man, but he can play both spots. He could really shine if paired with a physical center who can cover up for his shortcomings.
10-Danny Wolf, forward-center, Michigan
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
Scouting report: Many mock drafts have Wolf slotted in the mid-to-late first-round range. The 20-year-old versatile big man is a unique prospect who could blossom into an outstanding pro. Wolf is a 6-11, 250-pound big with guard-like skills, exactly what teams are looking for in a 4- or 5-man. He can be a hub on offense as a “point center” because he is comfortable handling the ball in space, and his size allows him to see over the defense. He takes calculated risks as the trigger man on pick-and-rolls. He’s also a strong rebounder, averaging 9.7 boards during his sophomore season at Yale and his junior season at Michigan. He plays with a lot of energy and has a consistent motor, which bodes well for his defensive projection. Here are some concerns: He is prone to turning the ball over, shot just 49% from the field, and does not protect the rim despite his large frame. He also shot under 60% from the free throw line at Michigan, but he did shoot 71% at Yale, which could mean it is a correctable weakness. Despite the drawbacks, Wolf might be worth the risk because the reward could be great.
11-Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
NBA comparison: Julius Randle
Scouting report: Murray-Boyles raised his draft stock after a strong sophomore season at South Carolina. He improved in every major statistical category and made second-team all-conference in a very competitive SEC. Murray-Boyles, listed at 6-7, was forced to play center for an underwhelming Gamecocks team that finished 12-20 overall. But he will likely be slotted as a big forward in the NBA. CMB plays bigger than his size and brings a ton of physicality. He uses his 240-pound frame to carve out space in the paint (shot 58% from the field) and has decent handles for a power forward. As a bonus, CMB plays hard on the defensive end and could potentially be a strong perimeter and post defender because of his wingspan and quick feet. His defense could become his calling card at the next level and make him part of a rotation.
12-Ben Saraf, guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Bundesliga)
NBA comparison: Goran Dragic
Scouting report: Israeli guard Ben Saraf is the best international prospect in a weak international class. The 19-year-old played a year for Ratiopharm Ulm in the very competitive Bundesliga in Germany. He plays with a ton of energy and passion. He’s listed at 6-5 but lacks strength. He relies on his craftiness to shed defenders, but he’s got a solid handle that allows him to get to his spots. He’s got decent body control and has enough athleticism to score over and around bigger defenders. He has plenty of international experience playing for Israel’s national team, and he was named MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He didn’t shoot the 3-ball well in his first season with Ulm (22.2%), so whoever drafts him will have to work with his shooting form. Despite his shortcomings as a long-range shooter, Saraf has all the intangibles to be a solid pro. NBA scouts got a sneak peek at Saraf in 2024 as he scored 16 points and made three 3-pointers in a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.