Analyst Explains How Duke Phenom Cooper Flagg Can Become NBA’s ‘Version of Caitlin Clark’

Duke Blue Devils superstar Cooper Flagg is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft class. It’s not surprising as Flagg is in the middle of a phenomenal campaign with the Blue Devils and is on pace to become the first freshman to lead his team in every statistical category while making the NCAA Tournament.

However, the 18-year-old sent shockwaves through the NBA with a recent comment, hinting that he might decide against declaring for the draft. Analyst Jason Whitlock appears to support Flagg spending another year in college and believes he could become the NBA’s “version of Caitlin Clark” by not declaring for the draft this year.

Jason Whitlock Wants Cooper Flagg To Become NBA’s Caitlin Clark
Most college basketball players looking to make it to the NBA only spend the requisite one year playing NCAA hoops before declaring for the NBA Draft, especially those projected to go No. 1 overall. Many assumed that Flagg would follow a similar path.

However, according to the 18-year-old phenom, he wants to stay at Duke a bit longer. Already in the middle of a legendary campaign, Flagg expressed his feelings about his incredible experience as a member of the Blue Devils.

“S***, I want to come back next year,” Flagg told The Athletic.

Whitlock supported the 18-year-old’s decision and asked fans to request that he stay in the NCAA and build a brand for himself as WNBA star Caitlin Clark did at Iowa.

“Everbody involved that loves and cares about the NBA need to be begging Cooper Flagg return to Duke,” Whitlock said. “We don’t need a one-and-done heading into the NBA. We need our version of Caitlin Clark. A person who establishes a huge gigantic brand in college basketball and then joins us.”

https://t.co/Youk7hRsfJ

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) February 18, 2025

Clark is widely regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players and is credited for bringing attention to women’s basketball. After breaking a plethora of NCAA records, including being the Division I all-time leading scorer across men’s and women’s basketball, Clark was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024.

Her addition to the WNBA has resulted in a massive increase in viewership and revenue for the league. Clark is believed to have accounted for 26.5% of the WNBA’s tangible financial and growth indicators, such as ticket and merchandise revenue and television ratings.

Whitlock hopes to see a similar effect on the NBA courtesy of Flagg, but the 18-year-old is highly unlikely to wait three years to play with the pros.