Whereas there can be a number of spectacular freshman prospects for NBA groups to select from in June’s draft, two are already beginning to separate themselves on the high of the checklist. If you have not been locked into faculty basketball but, get used to listening to the names Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
Let’s begin with Flagg, the Duke freshman. He is been within the highlight for a while, along with his high school highlights producing quite a lot of buzz. The 6-foot-9 ahead entered the season as the highest freshman within the nation in accordance with 247Sports.
What makes Flagg so intriguing is his potential as a two-way star. He brings a excessive degree of ardour to the ground, and it interprets on the defensive finish. Flagg’s shot blocking and positional versatility are a premium because the league continues to lean into position-less ball.
Flagg additionally flashes potential as an offensive playmaker. He is robust when attacking and might create alternatives for others. The one talent that Flagg can enhance on is his ball dealing with. He can get the job executed on the faculty degree, however getting a tighter deal with will unlock a lot extra for him in one-on-one scoring alternatives on the subsequent degree.
Maybe an important issue to recollect is that Flagg is simply 17. He graduated a yr early, that means he ought to nonetheless be a senior in highschool. Flagg hasn’t been overwhelmed, although, placing up 17 factors and 9 rebounds per recreation for a top-10 workforce. One among his finest performances was Sunday in Duke’s 76-65 win at Louisville. Flagg was the perfect participant on the court docket, ending with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
It will take a particular expertise to overhaul Flagg for the highest spot, however there is a hooper at Rutgers who may do it. Dylan Harper is arguably the perfect playmaker within the freshman class. At 6-foot-6, he has nice measurement for the purpose guard place. There is a smoothness to Harper’s recreation that instantly stands out. He has a mature recreation, not often enjoying uncontrolled.
Harper is adept at placing up factors for himself or placing others in place to get buckets. Once you take a look at the traits of a number of the NBA’s finest ground generals, he checks an important packing containers.
Harper is a top-five scorer within the nation, averaging 23.1 factors whereas doling out 4.6 assists and grabbing 4.3 rebounds per recreation. He actually caught folks’s consideration on the Gamers Period Pageant in November. Harper went off for 36 points, six rebounds and six assists in an extra time win over Notre Dame. He adopted that up with 37 points in a loss to Tenth-ranked Alabama. Each video games proved he can carry the offensive load when wanted.
There’s nonetheless quite a lot of ball to be performed, and extra can be revealed in the case of the 2025 draft class. Now, nevertheless, Harper and Flagg are on the high. They may get even higher and extra snug because the season goes on.
