Montverde Academy forward Cooper Flagg has made an announcement on social media that he will be reclassifying to the Class of 2024. This decision has significant implications for the basketball world at both the grassroots, collegiate, and professional levels. Flagg, who was originally in the Class of 2025, has proven himself to be one of the best prospects in the country, regardless of class.
In the 2022-23 season, Flagg showcased his skills at Montverde Academy, averaging 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He also had a standout performance representing Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, where he won a gold medal and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
Flagg’s reclassification to the Class of 2024 is expected to have a significant impact on the 2025 NBA Draft. Many college coaches and NBA scouts have expressed concerns about the talent level in the 2024 recruiting class, believing that the classes before it were stronger. However, with Flagg joining the 2024 class, there is likely to be increased interest from both college coaches and NBA personnel as they compete to recruit, evaluate, and potentially draft this young star.
The decision to reclassify makes sense for Flagg, as he has already proven himself at the high school level and is widely regarded as ready to make the jump to the next level of competition. Going into the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick.
The next question is where Flagg will choose to play. Will he opt for the collegiate route or consider joining the G League Ignite program? At 6-foot-8 and 195 pounds, Flagg attracted attention from schools across the country during his impressive performance at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Duke, Kansas, Villanova, UCLA, Providence, UConn, and more have all extended offers to him. It is worth noting that Flagg has only visited one program so far, Duke.
Duke is also in the running to add two other highly touted prospects in the 2024 class, center Flory Bidunga and guard Dylan Harper. The addition of Flagg would further strengthen Duke’s recruiting class and make them an even more formidable team in the coming seasons.
In conclusion, Cooper Flagg’s decision to reclassify to the Class of 2024 has created a buzz in the basketball world. His exceptional skills and achievements have made him a highly sought-after prospect by both college coaches and NBA scouts. As he prepares for the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg is projected to be the top pick. The question now is which team he will choose to play for, with Duke being a strong contender. Basketball fans and enthusiasts will be eagerly following Flagg’s journey as he continues to make waves in the sport.