On Thursday, ESPN posted a jaw-dropping statistic detailing how Duke superstar Cooper Flagg, at 18 years, 5 months, and 27 days old on NBA Draft day, will be just nine days older than LeBron James was when he was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2003.
If Flagg had been born just 11 days later, he would have been ineligible for the 2025 draft due to the NBA’s age rules. Flagg, born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, has been a basketball prodigy since high school. Standing at 6’9″ with a versatile skill set, he plays as a forward and is widely predicted to be the first overall pick.
The Remarkable Age Parallel Between Cooper Flagg and LeBron James
Speaking of LeBron James, the comparison between him and Cooper Flagg isn’t just about on-court potential. The ESPN post highlighted a fascinating parallel: their ages on draft day.
When James was selected first overall in 2003, he was 18 years, 5 months, and 18 days old, fresh off his high school career at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio. Fast forward to 2025, and Flagg will be 18 years, 5 months, and 27 days old on draft night, making him just nine days older than LeBron was at that pivotal moment.
Cooper Flagg will be only 9 days older than LeBron James was on his draft day in 2003 🤯
Flagg would have been ineligible for the 2025 NBA draft due to his age if he were born just 11 days later 😲 pic.twitter.com/LfFU5jYXrY
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 15, 2025
This ESPN stat underscores how young Flagg is compared to his peers. Of course, James became one of the greatest players in NBA history, a four-time MVP, four-time champion, and the league’s all-time leading scorer.
While it’s far too early to predict if Flagg will reach those heights, his entering the league at nearly the same age as LeBron is a testament to his readiness and the immense expectations on his shoulders.
Cooper Flagg Barely Makes Age Cut For 2025 NBA Draft
The NBA’s current age rule, often called the “one-and-done” rule, was implemented back in 2005, two years after LeBron’s draft class. It requires players to be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and one year removed from high school. Flagg, born on December 21, 2006, had to be draft-eligible before turning 19 at the end of 2025.
The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for late June, and Flagg’s birthday falls a few months later. If he had been born 11 days later, on January 1, 2007, he wouldn’t have turned 19 until 2026, making him ineligible. He would have had to wait another year, potentially returning to Duke or exploring other options like playing overseas or in the G League.
WATCH: Clip of 13-Year-Old Cooper Flagg Wearing Mavericks Shirt Resurfaces After Dallas Secures Top Pick
The spotlight will only get brighter as Flagg prepares to enter the NBA. Being the second-youngest college player ever drafted, behind only Andrew Bynum, he’s already making history. But the LeBron comparison, while flattering, comes with pressure.
LeBron didn’t just meet expectations; he shattered them, becoming a global icon and a 22-year veteran still playing at an elite level in 2025. Flagg will need to carve his path, and his journey starts with adjusting to the NBA’s speed, physicality, and scrutiny.
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