Cooper Flagg Just SHOCK Team USA to Its Core – The 17-Year-Old NBA Vet in Disguise! “Guess Who’s Stealing the Spotlight?”

The spotlight on Team USA basketball this past week didn’t shine on household NBA names like LeBron James, Steph Curry, or Anthony Edwards.

Instead, it centered on a 17-year-old kid who’s rewriting the script on what it means to be an NBA-ready phenom.

Cooper Flagg, an incoming Duke freshman and the number one overall player in the 2024 class, hasn’t even played a single college game yet.

But that hasn’t stopped him from going toe-to-toe—and often outplaying—some of the best professionals in the world.

How? By earning a spot on the USA Select Team, a squad designed to scrimmage and prepare the Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Games.

Usually, this select team is packed with young NBA players on the cusp of breaking into the Olympic roster.

Past members include Kevin Durant (2008), Devin Booker (2016), and Anthony Edwards (2020).

Yet, Cooper Flagg stands out as the only non-NBA player invited this year, an honor unheard of for a high school graduate yet to take the collegiate court.

The last college players to receive this nod were Marcus Smart and Doug McDermott in 2013, both coming off decorated college seasons.

Cooper’s invitation without any college experience signals the astronomical hype surrounding him.

And hype doesn’t lie.

During the final scrimmage between the Select Team and the Olympic squad, the Select Team nearly pulled off an upset, losing by just one point, 74-73.

The Olympic team fielded a star-studded lineup—Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid—yet it was Cooper who stole the show.

An NBA coach in attendance called Cooper the best player on the Select Team, a roster filled with seasoned professionals.

So, what did Cooper Flagg do to earn such praise?

From the jump, he scored double digits just in highlight plays alone—estimated to be around 15 points total.

He faced off against elite defenders like Jrue Holiday, known as one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, and still managed to hit a clutch hesitation three-pointer right in Holiday’s face.

He dazzled with a full-court hustle, intercepting a steal and sprinting 90 feet to finish a putback and one over Bam Adebayo, showcasing his relentless energy and fearlessness.

Cooper also displayed a polished offensive arsenal: a turnaround jumper over Holiday, a smooth corner three, and a backdoor cut dunk, proving his versatility and basketball IQ.

But it wasn’t just his scoring that impressed—it was his poise.

Former NBA player and Team USA practice squad member Langston Galloway summed it up perfectly: “I’m not even impressed by the scoring. I’m more impressed by his poise. He’s not out there forcing shots or trying to make it ‘my turn.’ He understands the game, makes the right reads, and plays unselfishly. For a 17-year-old, that’s rare.”

NBA stars echoed the sentiment.

Kevin Durant called Cooper “a hell of a player” who “played like an NBA vet at 17,” praising his calm demeanor and maturity on the court.

Devin Booker highlighted Cooper’s relentless drive, noting, “You see how bad he wants it.”

Jaylen Duren said Cooper showed “no fear,” and Haime Hakz declared he was “playing out of his mind.”

What truly sets Cooper apart is his unique profile: a 6’9” point forward who can score, pass, rebound, protect the rim, and defend multiple positions.

His offensive footwork, post moves, ball-handling, and a smooth jumper are already NBA-ready, and his defensive versatility and elite rim protection make him a rare two-way talent.

At 17, Cooper Flagg is not just competing with NBA legends—he’s matching and sometimes outshining them.

The basketball world is buzzing because this kid isn’t just a prospect; he’s a future star already proving it on the biggest stages.

Next year at Duke, expect Cooper to be must-see television, a triple-double threat with a high basketball IQ and the poise of a seasoned professional.

The hype is real, and the message is clear: Cooper Flagg is here to change the game.

For those hungry for more, check out the full breakdown of his high school career and NBA potential in the linked video.

One thing’s certain—Team USA’s secret weapon just announced himself to the world, and basketball fans everywhere should take notice.