Is Cooper Flagg Poised to be the Next Victor Wembanyama?

Cooper Flagg emerges as the next big NBA phenom prospect.

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Let's talk about the next big thing in basketball. Cooper Flagg is set to become the NBA's next phenom, and it's time to get your tanks in the maintenance shops to be ready for the 2025-26 season. Of course, there will be plenty of other top prospects to keep an eye on before then. One player who could challenge Flagg for the top pick in 2026 is Cameron Boozer, a true monster in the making.

However, we can't ignore the incredible talent and potential that Flagg possesses. His skills were on full display at the Peach Jam, Nike's EYBL extravaganza. In a 71-68 win, Flagg recorded an impressive stat line, finishing just four assists shy of a quadruple-double. He scored 38 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked 12 shots, and dished out six assists. One of his blocks was a game-saving denial where he covered an impressive 35 feet to reject a potential game-tying shot.

At just 16 years old and standing at 6-foot-8, Flagg is about to enter his junior year at Montverde Academy. Even if he doesn't grow any taller, he already possesses the skills and agility to dominate as a power forward. His defensive abilities are exceptional, and he has a wide range of offensive skills that make him a nightmare for defenders. Just a quick scroll through social media reveals videos of other players attempting to trash talk and be physical with Flagg, only to be silenced by his dominant performances.

It's also worth noting the hype that is building around Flagg. As a white American top prospect, he has the potential to become a face of the league, something we haven't seen in decades. In fact, he may be the most impressive white American prospect we've seen in years, surpassing the likes of Chet Holmgren and Kevin Love. The added hype surrounding Flagg only adds to the excitement and anticipation for what's to come.

As of now, it seems like Flagg has all the makings of a future All-Star. It would be shocking if he didn't reach that level of success. His recent heroics come after his twin brother, Ace, won a battle against Cameron and his twin brother, Cayden. The amount of stardom that these two brothers will bring in 2026 is truly remarkable.

In other news, we're borrowing a great feature from our MLB newsletter, The Windup, where Levi Weaver and Ken Rosenthal engage in conversational content through text messages. Here's a text conversation I had with Jay King about Cooper Flagg:

[Text conversation]

Moving on, the Las Vegas Summer League kicks off today, and all eyes will be on Wembanyama, the most hyped draft prospect since LeBron James. This year's first overall pick will face off against Brandon Miller, the second overall pick. However, this isn't your typical measuring of the two picks.

Everyone knew Wembanyama was going to be the top pick, with no contenders in sight. Tonight, he will be the main attraction, with summer league tickets for Friday's session already sold out. The hype surrounding Wembanyama has even reached the music world, as reports confirm an incident involving Britney Spears and Spurs security, resulting in a police report being filed. More details can be found here, but it's safe to say the incident was toxic.

As for the on-court action, get ready for a flurry of hot takes and opinions. Every move Wembanyama makes will be analyzed and scrutinized. If he struggles, he'll be labeled as overhyped. If he dominates, he'll be hailed as the greatest ever. And we can look forward to more excitement on Sunday night when Wembanyama and the Spurs take on Scoot Henderson and the Blazers.

In other news, the Golden State Warriors have made changes to their player development department after facing frustrations with their young prospects.

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