Duke’s Cooper Flagg reflects on competing with LeBron James, Stephen Curry before 2024 Olympics: "I'm really blessed"

Cooper Flagg has enjoyed some incredible experiences in the run-up to his first season in college basketball. In July, the Duke Blue Devils' top recruit represented the USA Select Team in a scrimmage against Team USA prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This gave Flagg the opportunity to play against the cream of the crop in the NBA, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry. In an interview with ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Wednesday, the talented teenager talked about his experience playing against the top stars.

"That was an incredible experience for me, and I'm just really blessed that I was given that opportunity," Flagg said. "Seeing some of the details, the effort that you have to have on every single possession, every play like, playing a lot smarter than some people I've ever seen before, with some of the people from the select team like Payton Pritchard, Jalen Suggs.

"Just being able to talk to them off the court a little bit and get to know some of their experience. I feel it was really valuable for me as well."

Cooper Flagg impressed in Select Team vs Team USA scrimmage

Per reports from the game on Jul. 8, Flagg was among the most impressive players for the select team in their narrow 74-73 loss. The 6-foot-9 small forward hit a three-pointer over Anthony Davis.

Cooper Flagg produced an impressive display for the USA Select Team this July (Image: Imagn)

Flagg's impressive displays for Montverde High Academy and the USA Select Team have already earned him immense praise from LeBron James and Kevin Garnett.

Cooper Flagg donned the Blue Devils jersey for the first time on Oct. 4 during the program's annual preseason event, Countdown to Craziness. He led the White team to a 20-17 victory in the first of two intra-squad scrimmages, tallying 13 points across both contests.

Flagg reclassified from the Class of 2025 to the 2024 class and emerged as the top prospect. Expectations from him in the upcoming season will sky-high after winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the Naismith Player of the Year Awards after an excellent high school senior season at Montverde.