Within two weeks of the 2025 NBA Draft, it was The best time to compare Cooper Flag becomes a former Duke Blue Devils star.
The Dallas Mavericks have an easy choice for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Duke Blue Devils’ Cooper Flag is the best prospect in his class.
Even NBA Analytics Network Jonah Kubicek’s latest mock draft, Flagg, goes first to the Mavericks.
But switch things up and compare the top overall pick from Paolo Banchero, the 2022 NBA draft, to the talented prospect.
Obviously, Banchelo is also a top prospect in his class, and he also played for a year in Duke’s basketball program.
Given that Banchero has already completed his third NBA season in his career with Orlando Magic, fans are thinking about how he will play. Bunchelo has been showing LeBron James’ shades early in his career.
The power forward, Banchelo focuses on scoring and rebounding rather than playing-making teammates. Coming to Flag, he is considered one of the best little forwards in his class.
However, aside from scoring and rebounding, Flagg is a very capable defender. He relies on explosiveness to influence the game rather than to influence the game.
The magical star is 6’10, weighs 250 pounds and has a wingspan of 7’1. But the most outstanding physical attribute is his incredible strength. That’s a big reason behind the Banchelo’s rapid transition from the NCAA to the NBA.
The Flagg, meanwhile, is 6’7, weighs about 210 pounds and has a wingspan of 7’0. Therefore, his physique can be compared to San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wen Banyama in his rookie year, so the flag is smaller and lighter than the buncello.
But here’s a silver lining. Flag is still able to grow as he is only 18 years old. In fact, according to Yahoo Sports, Flag has already grown by an inch in his time at the NCAA.
Banchero and Flagg declared the NBA draft after only one season in the NCAA. Banchero averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, shooting 47.8% from the field and 33.8% from the 3-point line.
As for Flagg, he contributed 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from the deep.
However, neither the Buncello nor the Flag could have led Duke to the NCAA Championship. In fact, in both years, Duke was eliminated in the final four of March Madness.
To be honest, predicting a player’s NBA potential is never easy. Something like Nicola Jokic and Jalen Branson are proof of that. But comparing the two potential No. 1 picks certainly makes it a little easier.
Fans have already seen the Buncello grow rapidly in the first three years of his career. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the 2024-25 NBA season. Jordan athletes have already won the NBA All-Star spot.
If he’s away from injuries, Banchelo will likely be a perennial All-Star/All-Number player in the league.
As for the flag, there is more talk around him than the buncello. Don’t forget that Paolo wasn’t even a consensus No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Flags are the head and shoulders above classmates.
Assuming he is healthy and has extra muscles, Flag could be the next face in the NBA. Moreover, he is already responsible for healing the Mavs fanbase following Nico Harrison’s shocking Luka Donsic trade.
A summary of the points above suggests that Flaggu is definitely a better outlook than Banchero.
Plus, he’s four years younger than the Magic Star, so Flag has better chances before both retire from the league. Despite that verdict, Bancello is not too late to the flag in terms of talent.
Ultimately, their NBA legacy is determined by how well each franchise builds the roster around them and helps them compete for the championship each year.