Lou Williams Offers Advice to NBA Draft Prospect Cooper Flagg

Ex-Sixers guard sends message to potential No. 1 pick.

Mar 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

After what many dubbed a lackluster class last year, the 2025 NBA Draft is expected to be loaded with talent. Still months away from a new group of players being ushered into the league, one former Philadelphia 76ers player offered some words of advice to the potential No. 1 pick.

Headlining the 2025 draft class is Duke forward Cooper Flagg. The hype has been building for over a year now, as countless fans are eager to see him finally reach the NBA. However, the highly-touted prospect shocked many earlier this season when he hinted at possibly wanting to return to Duke for his sophomore season.

On Wednesday's episode of Run It Back, the hosts discussed Flagg's stunning remarks about potentially wanting to stay in college. This led to a simple piece of advice from Lou Williams. He urged Flagg to not look back and make the leap to the NBA.

"Don't go back to school, it's going to be the same teams next year bro," Williams said. "Come on out."

Cooper Flagg's best bet is to enter the NBA Draft 😳

"Don't go back to school. It's gonna be the same teams next year." - @TeamLou23

"That $4 or $5M you're making at Duke is cute. You're gonna be making $40-$50M if you come out. Go ahead and be the #1 pick." - @ChandlerParsons… pic.twitter.com/t6skep8DSG

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 12, 2025

Since the start of the season, Flagg has been the projected No. 1 pick in this year's draft. He's been nothing short of dominant at Duke, averaging 19.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 1.3 BPG.

It's no surprise that Williams took this stance, seeing as he also took the quickest route to the NBA. He is part of a rare group to enter the pros out of high school, getting drafted 45th overall by the Sixers in 2005. From there, he went on to have a successful 17-year career where he cemented himself as one of the best reserve guards in NBA history.

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