A viral X post from NetsKingdom claiming that AJ Dybantsa is better than Cooper Flagg has sparked a heated fan war over the two young basketball phenoms. The post was made on Saturday, Jun 21.
The bold statement praising Dybantsa, the top high school prospect committed to BYU, over Duke freshman and projected 2025 NBA Draft No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has divided fans, with supporters of both players clashing in the comments section.
Flagg’s supporters pushed back hard. Brooklyn Netcast dismissed the comparison, writing, “Way too early to say that lmao,” questioning the timing of the Dybantsa hype.
NetsKingdom doubled down, adding, “I’ll stand on it if I’m wrong, I’m wrong,” showing unwavering confidence. Fans of the BYU commit praised his explosive potential, with some speculating that his rise may have pushed Flagg to reclassify for the 2025 draft to avoid direct competition.
Realmister314 defended Flagg’s reputation, commenting, “These dudes fail in the lottery and now Cooper is no longer a generational talent.”
While ChrisCjmartin added, “This makes absolutely no sense to go up a class is absolutely about hitting the NBA earlier and not later. I don’t think Coop cared if he was the first or second pick. We gonna find out who’s better in the league real soon.”
AJ Dybantsa is better than Cooper Flagg.
Might’ve even been the reason Flagg reclassed to be in the 2025 draft.6’8” two-way monster with elite athleticism, smoother handle, and a deeper offensive bag.🔥
pic.twitter.com/L0xPyEgWsq— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) June 21, 2025
Fans emphasized Flagg’s proven track record and all-around game. Skeptics of Dybantsa also chimed in, with TheFreddyD calling the hype “a lazy take,” noting, “Hell, he may not even be the best freshman in his own conference.”
The X comments section became a battleground, with fans debating whether Dybantsa’s scoring flair or Flagg’s winning pedigree will ultimately define their legacies.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Cooper Flagg and AJ Dybantsa Head-to-Head
Both stand at 6’9”, but their styles diverge sharply. Flagg thrives as a two-way force. His defensive versatility, as evidenced by 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game at Duke, according to team stats, makes him a nightmare for opponents. Offensively, he’s efficient inside, converting 48.1% of his two-point attempts, though his perimeter game lags.
His ability to facilitate, averaging over four assists, highlights a team-first mentality, which is rare for a prospect his age. Critics point to his lack of a go-to scoring move, but his adaptability suggests a high floor in the NBA.
Dybantsa, conversely, is an offensive dynamo. His EYBL performances suggest a scorer who can dominate with pull-up threes, hesitation dribbles, and rim-rattling finishes.
His defensive potential exists, but it’s less refined, with effort and strength still developing. While Flagg offers consistency, Dybantsa promises fireworks, and his highlight reel plays, hinting at a higher ceiling if he rounds out his game.
