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Cooper Flagg takes over scrimmage during training camp for Team USA

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•07/08/24•

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Cooper Flagg
Rob Kinnan | USA TODAY Sports

Cooper Flagg has been turning heads in Las Vegas as part of the Select Team competing against Team USA ahead of the 2024 Olympics. That included today’s outburst in a performance that apparently nearly bested the team of all-time players.

Ben Golliver of The Washington Post shared several clips of Monday’s scrimmage between the two squads. That matchup featured an effort from Flagg that had several plays and highlights which almost won his team the game.

In the clips shared by Golliver, Flagg is seen hitting a pair of threes over Anthony Davis, scoring a short jumper over the top of Jrue Holiday, and flying in for an offensive rebound to lay an and-one put-back over Bam Adebayo.

Again, it was nearly an effort that defeated some of the nation’s best as well as in the history of basketball. Still, Team USA did manage to survive by a single point with a final score of 74-73.

Flagg is the only non-professional there at training camp as he’s fresh out of high school and heading into his freshman year at Duke. However, that hasn’t impacted his approach in going out there and competing against anyone.

“I mean I’m confident in my ability and my skill. So, at the end of the day, yeah, I’m confident in who I am and what I can do,” Flagg said following the scrimmage. “I’m just coming out to play basketball.”

Camp with Team USA has also allowed him to pick the brains of the roster of eventual Hall of Famers that will represent the country next month in Paris.

“They’ve all just been pretty welcoming,” Flagg said. “You know, the Select Team? They’re appreciative of us being here and kind of getting them ready, gearing up. It’s all just welcoming.”

“They’re just telling me to keep working and stay grounded,” said Flagg.

Flagg is the No. 1 freshman in the nation according to On3’s 2024 Industry Top Basketball Recruits. He’s a Five-Star+ prospect in the class and leads a top-ranked, six-man collection coming in for the Blue Devils. He is also already a huge favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

There’s a ton of hype around Flagg with him being one of the best recruits in quite some time. That energy is only continuing to build with eye-catching moments like this against some of the best to ever do it.

Flagg throws down highlight jam, embraces LeBron James following scrimmage vs. Team USA

Before Cooper Flagg has even played a college game, he’s already scoring against some the best players ever.

On Sunday, several clips from a scrimmage between the Team USA and the Select Team emerged. It appears Flagg is off to an excellent start with him going backdoor behind Anthony Davis to throw down an efficient two-handed jam. In another clip, LeBron James embraced Flagg during the postgame handshake line.