Miami Heat wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. was deeply impressed by the talent of Cooper Flagg, the new Duke basketball recruit, while training with LeBron James and Team USA in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
TMZ Sports interviewed Jaquez at an airport about Cooper Flagg as a potential draft pick. Jaquez commended Flagg’s exceptional skill and talent and expressed confidence in Flagg’s upcoming success on the court.
The Miami Heat player lauded Flagg as “an extraordinary talent.”
“He’s truly outstanding, an exceptional player, a fantastic individual. Who knows, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Jaquez added.
Cooper Flagg rising to the level of hype set by LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama
At only 17 years old, Flagg, a highly rated recruit for Duke and ESPN’s projected top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, showcased his remarkable abilities during a scrimmage in Las Vegas. He impressively maneuvered past NBA All-Stars and outscored potential Hall of Famers while competing against the U.S. select team and the men’s national squad.
In regards to the speculation that Flagg could be as promising a prospect as Victor Wembanyama or LeBron James upon entering the NBA draft, Jaquez Jr. recognized that it’s indeed a viable possibility.
“Those are incredible comparisons. Yes, as I mentioned earlier, only time will reveal the truth. I wish him the best. Let’s wait and see how it all unfolds,” he remarked.
Flagg was the solitary high school player chosen for the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s Select Team. In this capacity, he defended against NBA luminaries such as James, Anthony Davis, and Jason Tatum as they readied themselves for the Olympics.
Cooper Flagg’s performance thus far
Flagg garnered several prestigious accolades in his final year, including the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American recognitions. He averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game, leading Montverde to an unblemished 33-0 season and a national championship victory at the Chipotle High School Nationals.
Furthermore, in his freshman year, he became the youngest recipient of the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, with averages of 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game.
Flagg also excelled in the Nike EYBL 16U league, posting averages of 26.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.2 blocks, and 4.7 assists per game.
The 17-year-old accelerated his high school progress to join the Blue Devils a year ahead of schedule. En route to Durham this autumn, he retains his status as the nation’s top-ranked recruit, despite being younger than many of his counterparts.
Impressing against Team USA
Flagg has attracted the most pre-season spotlight for a college basketball athlete since Zion Williamson during his lone season at Duke in 2018-19. He attributed the opportunity to practice with the select team and go head-to-head against Team USA to former Duke standout Grant Hill, who currently holds the role of managing director at USA Basketball.
Cooper Flagg definitively proved he wasn’t out of his depth. His performance against seasoned NBA defenders like Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Jrue Holiday went viral.
In a standout moment, Flagg maneuvered past a screen and sunk a 3-pointer over the outstretched arm of Lakers star Anthony Davis.
Jaquez, selected by the Heat as the 18th overall pick in 2023, was among the 12 players under NBA or NBA G League contracts who received invitations to join the team.
Anticipation for Cooper Flagg is at an all-time high, but his recent showcases with the United States select team indicate that he’s well on track to fulfilling those expectations.
Image Source: Cooper Flagg @ Instagram
