Montverde Academy forward Cooper Flagg is reclassifying to the Class of 2024, he announced on social media Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Flagg, 16, was originally in the Class of 2025.
- In 2022-23, Flagg averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game at Montverde.
- Flagg won a gold medal representing Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 World Cup and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
How Flagg’s reclassification impacts the 2025 NBA Draft
Flagg reclassifying to 2024 is significant news not only for grassroots basketball but the collegiate and professional levels.
Flagg is arguably the best prospect in the country regardless of class and he put the country even more on notice by averaging 25.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.9 blocks, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.
Many college coaches and NBA scouts have complained that the 2024 recruiting class isn’t as good as the classes before it. They even feel the 2025 and 2026 classes are more desirable. By adding Flagg to the 2024 class, I imagine both college coaches and NBA personnel’s ears will perk up as they fight to recruit, evaluate and draft the young star.
Reclassifying makes sense. He has nothing left to prove in high school basketball and is seen by all as ready to make that jump to the next level.
Going into the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg should be projected as the No. 1 overall pick. — Bass
Flagg’s potential destinations
The biggest question is where Flagg will play. Will he go the collegiate route or will he entertain G League Ignite?
The 6-foot-8, 195-pound prospect had every school in the country watching him at the Peach Jam including three staffers from Duke including Jon Scheyer. He also holds offers from Kansas, Villanova, UCLA, Providence, UConn, and more. It should be noted that he has only visited one program — Duke.
The Blue Devils are also in the running to add two five-star prospects in center Flory Bidunga who makes his decision Saturday and guard Dylan Harper in the 2024 class. — Bass
Required reading
(Photo of Cooper Flagg: Reinhold Matay / USA Today)
