Video: Duke’s Cooper Flagg Talks ‘Surreal’ Praise from NBA Legend Kevin Garnett
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 4, 2024
Lance King/Getty Images
Duke forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 men’s basketball prospect in the high school class of 2024, spoke about the strong praise that Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett gave him recently.
Jonathan Givony @DraftExpressCooper Flagg’s reaction to Kevin Garnett calling him a “badass, cold ass white boy:”
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“It was definitely kind of a surreal feeling,” Flagg said in response to a question from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “Because being a Celtics fan, obviously he is a big Celtics figure.”
KG made his remarks on the “Ticket & The Truth” podcast (conversation about Flagg begins at 25-minute mark).
Garnett said in part (h/t Adam Taylor of Celtics Wire):
“That superstardom, that follows you.
“…Cooper, I ain’t really heard him speak a lot, but when I watch him play, he got superstar around him. I can see kids wanting to be like that and play like that…Cooper Flagg, he gonna go to Duke, he gonna learn something, but he’s already polished enough to be on the next level. He got that superstar potential.”
Givony also asked if Flagg saw any comps in game to Garnett’s. Flagg agreed, noting the ex-Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics star’s defensive versatility and competitiveness.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBAESPN’s No. 1 draft prospect Cooper Flagg says he compares his game to Kevin Garnett š
(via @DraftExpress) pic.twitter.com/0UAvDz0AyQ
There’s no doubt that Flagg has impressed some big names lately, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who saw the Blue Devil in action this summer in the ramp-up to the Olympics.
LeBron James said during an interview with Brian O’Keefe of Esquire that Flagg will be a “big-time player here for Team USA down the road.” And Durant had this to say in July (h/t Ben Golliver of the Washington Post).
Ben Golliver @BenGolliverSuns’ Kevin Durant on Duke’s Cooper Flagg at USA Basketball camp: “He looks like a hell of a player. ā¦ He’s 17 years old coming in here playing like a vet almost. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign.” pic.twitter.com/IupKki3c8T
Fans will get to see Flagg in collegiate game action for the first time on Oct. 19, when Duke hosts Lincoln University.
