Dallas Basketball

Former NBA All-Star has interesting Cooper Flagg comparison

Baron Davis compared the Duke star to a talented European from the past.

Keenan Womack

May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images
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When it comes to presumptive first-overall pick Cooper Flagg, there have been no shortage of comparisons to other NBA stars, past and present. The Duke star has similarities to many elite defensive-minded players of the past.

Scouts have mentioned that Flagg has elements of Scottie Pippen, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Garnett, Jayson Tatum, and a host of other two-way stars. All of these are obviously high compliments, but what about some more off-the-wall comps?

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Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg
Apr 4, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Recently, former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, who played in the league for 13 seasons for the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and New York Knicks, compared Flagg to a different player: former Jazz great Andrei Kirilenko, a versatile wing whose game translates better to today's NBA than his own era's. Davis referred to the Duke prospect as a "Swiss army knife," one that can fill multiple roles.

“He reminds me a lot of Andrei Kirilenko,” said Davis, noting his his two-way capability. “How he moves, how he can do a lot of things. I think he's more offensively adapt. But just his motor, his build, his frame, and the way he can command attention on the offensive end and the defensive end.”

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Kirilenko was an All-Star once in 2004 but made three all-defensive teams in his career with Utah. While Flagg may have higher aspirations, the player archetype does make sense when comparing the two. Flagg put up 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game as well as 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks, underlining his ability to provide impact on both ends of the floor.

Overall, the NBA veteran outlines a positive picture for the young Duke star. He has an obvious, sustainable pathway to not just minutes at the professional level, but impact as well.

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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