Duke Commit Cooper Flagg Signs With CAA
The Naismith High School Player of the Year has chosen CAA for his NIL representation
Cooper Flagg, the projected number-one pick in the 2025 NBA draft, announced yesterday that he will work with Creative Artists Agency for NIL representation. The 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year will highlight an incredible Duke recruiting class that features four five-star commits. With the praise around Flagg's game from basketball experts, he will likely be a one-and-done, opting for the NBA draft next summer. CAA is one of the preeminent sports agencies in the world; its basketball roster includes many of the NBA’s most prominent athletes: Tyrese Haliburton, Paul George, Jalen Brunson, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson, and more.
While CAA’s reputation in the NBA speaks for itself, the company is also well-versed in the NIL space. The Los Angeles-based agency has previously worked with high-level collegiate prospects, including Bryce Young (the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft) and fellow Duke star Paolo Banchero (the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft).
While athletes of this caliber certainly make good money through NIL endorsement deals, many speculate that building relationships with sure-fire college athletes before their highly lucrative professional careers is more valuable than NIL commission. The conversion of NIL athletes to professional representation is not always linear; while Bryce Young remains with CAA, Paolo Banchero opted to join former NBA veteran Mike Miller’s LIFT agency for representation in his professional career.
