Who Are You Taking With the First Pick: Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper?
If the NBA Draft Was Today, Would You Take Duke’s Phenom Cooper Flagg or Rutgers Superstar Dylan Harper?
A Bit of Cooper, a Tad of Dylan, a Whole Lot of Hoops
A month and a half into the season, and already NCAAB news is stirring up the debate on which breakout player has had a bigger impact thus far and consequently scored the potential No.1 pick in next season’s NBA draft.
On the one hand, there’s Duke’s 17-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg. Yes, the kid who had pros like Anthony Davis and the rest of the US Men’s Basketball Team gasping for air after tearing them a new one before the Paris 2024 Olympics.
17-year-old Duke commit Cooper Flagg is TORCHING Team USA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6E7IblYhFA
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 8, 2024
If it doesn’t ring a bell, go on YouTube and look up Cooper Flagg’s highlights. You’re welcome.
Or just look up Cooper Flagg’s stats and get a free lesson on what basketball dominance means, coming from a kid who hasn’t even turned 18. Again, you’re welcome.
On the other hand, it’s Rutgers’ stud point guard Dylan Harper. I dare you to give me an example of a more dominant PG in college basketball right now or in the last five years at least.
His last performance against Seton Hall alone, where he posted 24 points, including a game-winning three, is precisely why college basketball predictions experts are keen on keeping an eye on Rutgers, even while riding a 7-4 record.
DYLAN HARPER GAME-WINNER!!!!!! 🔥 @RUTGERSMBB pic.twitter.com/1uioEWb3vW
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 14, 2024
Even if there’s still a whole lot of ball to be played until March Madness and, of course, the NBA draft, the race for that coveted No.1 spot seems like a clear two-person race between Flagg, the current betting odds favorite, and Harper.
So, who seems to be the best fit to take it?
Sorry Haters, Flagg Has Not Disappointed
If you don’t follow NCAAB rumors or have been living under a rock, then please, let me be the first to introduce you to Flagg, Duke’s newest basketball phenom and the best white boy to hoop it up for the Blue Devils and have the potential to be hated by every single college basketball fan since Christian Laettner.
Cooper Flagg is a 17 year old grown man mean mugging opposing teams 🥶 pic.twitter.com/fsUI9ETa6N
— ² (@BLOCKEDBYFLAGG) December 9, 2024
Entering his first season with Duke as the undisputed #1 prospect in college hoops and a potential betting odds favorite to take the No.1 spot in the 2025 NBA draft, Flagg has not shied away from being touted as “HIM” and has been opponents hell night in and night out.
The only real question is, can he make it through a whole season playing at a level worth being considered the next generational talent in American basketball? Or will the pressure get to him?
Cooper Flagg recreating this in April after winning the natty and a successful hated arc will feed several families pic.twitter.com/vLV0cfuTuw
— Duke Vs Everybody👿 (@DukevsEverybody) December 15, 2024
As Laettner did back in his days, Flagg looks ready to do his and then some.
Harper Is Everything You Want in a Modern-Day Point Guard
Remember Ron Harper? Yeah, that dude that played with MJ and Pippen in the Bulls, then with Shaq and Kobe in the Lakers, and went on to win five NBA titles before retiring in 2001?
Well, we’re not here to talk about him; we’re here to talk about his son Dylan.
Spearheading Rutgers’ basketball team, Dylan has become the latest star in college basketball, and with ample reason. Playing with a level of understanding and floor knowledge that rivals seasoned pros, Harper has indirectly told basketball experts that this season is not just about Flagg.
Dylan Harper is having one of the best seasons we’ve seen from a freshman guard.
He’s averaging:
23.5 PPG
4.8 Rebounds
4.4 Assists
61.9 TSHis play has sparked a conversation on who should be the #1 pick. @QBoogaveli and I watched some film from his last few games and… pic.twitter.com/PNix1W5YFG
— Latif Love (@LatifNBA) December 16, 2024
Leading the team in points scored and forming an almost bullying one-two punch with guard Ace Bailey, if Rutgers can step it up when it comes to NCAA basketball scores per game and continue growing through the season, Harper could be in for one of the best years stats-wise for a point guard in college basketball history.
So, Flagg or Harper? Who’s Going First?
To answer that question, let me ask another question first. What’s more important in the NBA right now, a dominant small forward like Flagg or a lethal shooter guard like Harper?
Dylan Harper vs Cooper Flagg for the #1 pick is going to be such a fun storyline all year pic.twitter.com/IjJlXampcG
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) December 14, 2024
While I may not be ready to answer who’s going first right now, I’m more than ready to watch both bring it this season to prove they deserve that No.1 spot. While Flagg brings the overall dominance, Harper has the hunger, so let time make the call on this.
