Cooper Flagg

When I was in Cameron last weekend, I had a perfect view of the full Duke team during the national anthem. Sung beautifully I may add by a student female a cappella group. It was sung at a fast pace, but with enough time to appreciate the words and the moment.

As I scanned the players and coaches standing 100 yards away from me, I finally landed on Flagg, who was second from the right. He was swaying. Hands behind his back. Slowly swaying. I could only smile to myself. I had hands behind my back and was also swaying. I have done it since high school. Everyone has their national anthem routine. It just so happens Cooper and I share one.

My inference could be way off or spot on, but that swaying and stance tells me two main things. He has some nervous energy. And he's ready to play. For one reason or another, it also made me think deep down that he has confidence buried in his foundation. And why wouldn't he? He is 6'9, lanky, scary athletic, 18 years old, and about to be the number one pick in the draft.

Flagg fits the narrative of someone you want to hate, especially for any Duke haters. He fits the stereotypical Duke Laettner type with his complexion and physique. But here's the problem - that kid just loves basketball. And is so fucking good at basketball. He makes all the right plays. Finds his teammates. Skies for rebounds. Knows when to not put his body in harms way or get a ridiculous block at the rim. Some of his dunks this year have been tens, and jump out of your seat jams. The one against Pitt where he went the length of the court and absolutely threw down a hammer was the dunk of the year in college basketball.

I'm not a Duke loyalist. I don't follow the recruiting circuit. I'm a fair analyzer. And all I can tell you is Cooper Flagg is special. And he owns it and knows it and wants all of it. He is chanting down the court in Chapel Hill at UNC after his dunk to put the game away "I own this shit. I own this shit." And his loving parents are patting their heads with their hands - the sign players make when someone goes and dunks on somebody. They know the drill.

It really has been something incredible to watch, and if you are a basketball fan, I hope you were able to witness his talent and winning attitude this year. Of course they jury is still out - will he be an NBA all star? Will he make it to the NBA Finals? Those are already big questions to ask for someone who hasn't even played a game in the NBA.

The one and done era is here and you expect to have the top talent come and go and it doesn't impact you as much. But after seeing the postgame interview tonight with him and Kon Knueppel (a top 10 pick), I had a different feeling. I'm going to miss him. He is just a hooper and it has been a pleasure to watch him do his thing in a Duke uniform.

"One more year."