No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg admits being awestruck while playing NBA legend LeBron James for first time

One of the reasons Cooper Flagg could make a statement against some of the best basketball players in the NBA is his ability to fit in. Never during the scrimmage did he look like a 17-year-old high school player who is months away from playing his first D1 game.

Instead, Flagg was confidently making plays, giving buckets and guarding superstars for the Select Team.

"It was cool, an unbelievable experience," Flagg said in an episode of The Brotherhood Podcast with his Duke teammate Caleb Foster. "Just having the opportunity to be there and just share the court with that level of talent and player, the people who've made that type of name for themselves. I've been watching them for years, growing up," he said.

However, that was not the case when he first matched up with LeBron James. Cooper Flagg had to remind himself to regain his composure on the court when he was guarding James in the corner.

"The first day, for sure, I was nervous, I didn't know what to think. I got on the court and I was like, 'Wow.' I was guarding LeBron in the corner. It kind of just hit me for a second and I had to snap out of it," he said.

One of the most notable instances from Cooper Flagg's Team USA stint was a sequence where he lost Jrue Holiday and hit a pull-up three over Anthony Davis. He then rejects a touchdown pass to AD and strides the court for a putback basket over Bam Adebayo.

Cooper Flagg has a unique approach to preparing for his first college season

Flagg could enter the 2025 NBA draft as the most hyped college basketball player since Zion Williamson in 2019. He held his own against Team USA and garnered high praise from several superstars.

Now, having a first-hand experience of greatness, Copper Flagg is preparing for his first collegiate season by not just increasing his strength but also improving his agility and quickness.

Moreover, to learn more about patience and mental edge, the Blue Devil freshman has picked up golf and yoga as his daily tasks.