The Big Lead

Cooper Flagg, 2025 NBA Draft class might not be as great as you think

By Joe Lago

Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against forward Mason Gillis (18) with the ball during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against forward Mason Gillis (18) with the ball during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
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Expectations have been building for quite some time over the 2025 NBA Draft class that features Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick who torched Team USA in a scrimmage last summer.

Sam Vecenie, The Athletic's college basketball and NBA draft analyst, hasn't bought a ticket on the hype train. He thinks it's time to apply the brakes.

RELATED: Projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick already has a shoe deal

In his 2025 NBA Mock Draft published on Thursday, Vecenie preached "a bit of caution" over projections that the class will produce "multiple All-Stars." He acknowledged that "real questions" are emerging around Flagg and three other top prospects — Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe — as future franchise cornerstones.

"I wouldn’t get hyperbolic and say this is a superclass," Vecenie wrote. "I would say it looks like a fairly average draft class."

That said, NBA teams figure to position themselves to have the best chance at drafting Flagg, an explosive 6-foot-9 wing who can score from all three levels. In other words, franchises in need of a future star will definitely be tanking this season to increase their lottery odds at winning the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg might not be a prospect at the level of Victor Wembanyama, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year with the San Antonio Spurs, but the Maine native will certainly be marketable. The 17-year-old already has a shoe deal with New Balance.

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