Cooper Flagg throws down highlight jam vs Team USA, embraces LeBron following scrimmage
Before Cooper Flagg has even played a game at the collegiate level, he’s scoring against the best players in the world. In June, the incoming Duke freshman earned a spot on the USA Select Team, which will practice against Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics.
On Sunday, several clips from a scrimmage between the two teams emerged. It appears Flagg is off to an excellent start. In one highlight, Flagg backdoored behind Los Angeles Lakers power forward Anthony Davis to throw down an efficient two-handed jam.
In another clip, NBA legend LeBron James embraced Flagg during the postgame handshake line. Flagg’s success against Team USA is a promising preview for Duke diehards. After all, the USA Select Team has had numerous players in the past who eventually played for Team USA, including Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton.
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley is the head coach of the USA Select Team and will provide Flagg with invaluable experience in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics.
“As a former member of the USA Select Team, I know how important and fun this opportunity is for each of these players,” USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill said in a statement. “There is a tremendous amount of talent on this Select squad with the significant job of helping the 2024 USA Men’s National Team as they begin their journey to the Olympics. Each of these athletes will play a role in our preparation as we also develop the national team pipeline for the future.”
Jon Scheyer raves about Cooper Flagg
It was no surprise to see Flagg earn a slot on the prestigious roster. He was the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle and earned countless accolades for his success at the high school level. Earlier this offseason, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer raved about Flagg’s game.
“Cooper has been a joy to watch him play in high school, because no matter when I’ve seen him,” Scheyer said. “If it’s Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. after playing a few days, whether it’s watching him play on ESPN, in the national championship game this year — he always plays this same way.
“He always competes [with] 100% effort and I think that’s a separator. Obviously, you look at his athleticism, talent, size, and skill is off the charts. But to me, it’s how he competes. And who he is as a teammate.”