5 NBA players Duke's Cooper Flagg resembles ft. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and more

With the 2024 NBA draft sweeping off a class of young stars to the pros, Duke's Cooper Flagg moves deeper into the spotlight. The presumptive top 2025 draft prospect, he already draws NBA comparisons.

Ahead of his first college game, here's a quick primer on who Flagg might resemble in the NBA ranks.

5 NBA players Cooper Flagg resembles

Multi-talented NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo is often invoked as a comparison to Duke's Cooper Flagg.

#1, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Cooper Flagg draws comparisons to the Bucks great because of his multi-faceted skills, ability to handle the ball out front and all-around talent. But there are some critical differences. At 6-foot-11, Giannis Antetokounmpo is two inches taller than Flagg. He's also closer to a true big man, shooting just 27.4% from 3-point range last year. Flagg isn't as imposing or as good of a rebounder, but he is a better wing scorer.

#2, Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is also taller than Cooper Flagg by a couple of inches and is prone to be more of a traditional post player than Flagg. But the common point between the two are excellent defensive instincts. If Flagg isn't quite as good of a shot blocker as Davis, he's still excellent and will probably rebound better than his size suggests.

#3, Paul George

If Cooper Flagg isn't quite the two big men above, he's also not an exact match with Paul George. Like George, he's capable on the drive or from the perimeter. Flagg is just an inch taller than George. Like George, Flagg has both speed and strength. But Flagg's size and strength will allow him to be a viable power forward, so the match isn't quite there.

#4, Jayson Tatum

The reigning world champion is another possible point of comparison for Cooper Flagg. Jayson Tatum is also 6-8, like George, just an inch shorter than Flagg. Offensively, he's a closer match than either the wing-oriented George or the post players noted above. But Tatum's defense is a definite tick behind Flagg's. Tatum blocks just 0.7 shots per game and has never been an NBA All-Defense pick.

#5, Andrei Kirilenko

Perhaps the closest match to the all-around style of Cooper Flagg's game is this retired standout. Andrei Kirilenko and Flagg are the same height and both featured inside-outside skills. Kirilenko was also a stout defender, earning three-time All-Defensive Team honors.

But Kirilenko might be a floor-level comparison for Flagg. Injuries shortened and reduced his career. Kirilenko made just one All-Star game and averaged 11.8 ppg, never topping 16.5 ppg.

So, Kirilenko times two with a dash of Davis and maybe a little Paul George?

In the end, Cooper Flagg will be his own point of comparison. After, all even the current and recent NBA stars provide just a point of reference. This Duke star may soon enough be a comparison point for a future star.

Which NBA players do you think Cooper Flagg resembles? Weigh in below in our comments section!