Jay Bilas has weighed in on Cooper Flagg’s impact. The ESPN basketball analyst and Duke alum recently discussed the top NBA draft prospect in an interview posted by the NBA on Instagram on Tuesday.
Bilas compared Flagg’s fame to that of superstar Taylor Swift, suggesting that the 18-year-old is bigger than the iconic singer-songwriter in Maine.
“When you’re going around Portland, Maine, I can’t tell you how many times I was stopped for people to ask about Cooper [Flagg],” Bilas said. “He’s bigger than Taylor Swift there. It’s amazing.”
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Flagg is a Maine native and a local legend. His fame is not unearned. The 6’9” forward led Duke in every major stat category this past season on his way to being named a consensus First-Team All-American and the National Player of the Year. Bilas had high praise for Flagg’s freshman campaign with the Blue Devils.
”I happen to think he’s the best freshman player that Duke’s ever had,” Bilas said. “No other freshman produced, as an 18 year old, the way Cooper Flagg did across the board, not only in success of the team but in individual success.”
Bilas went on to discuss what Flagg brings to this year’s draft class.
“He’s kinda like a queen on a chess board for you, because he can play, he can guard multiple positions,” Bilas said. “He’s super athletic, he’s long, got a really good second jump, he’s got great court awareness.”
Flagg impressed Bilas in his sole college season. The analyst believes the well-known baller has the makings of an NBA star.
Cooper Flagg invited to NBA Draft green room ahead of Wednesday’s event
Cooper Flagg is the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA Draft and has been extended an exclusive invitation for the big night. The Blue Devils star is one of the 24 top prospects invited by the NBA to the green room, which is usually made up of players expected to be first-round selections.
ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony shared the list of invitees on X last Thursday. It comes as no surprise that Flagg tops the list.
FINAL: 24 players invited to the NBA Draft green room thus far:
Cooper Flagg
Dylan Harper
Ace Bailey
VJ Edgecombe
Tre Johnson
Khaman Maluach
Jeremiah Fears
Kon Knueppel
Kasparas Jakucionis
Egor Demin
Carter Bryant
Derik Queen
Asa Newell
Noa Essengue
Collin Murray-Boyles
Thomas… pic.twitter.com/YxAsE5FgeA— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2025
Flagg will be joined in the green room by fellow freshman phenoms, such as Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, as well as other young stars looking to make their mark on the NBA.
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