SAN ANTONIO — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled its class of 2025 at the Final Four in San Antonio. With the national semifinal games tipping off later in the day, the topic of conversation with the new hall of famers eventually turned to the teams that would be playing for the title, as well as to the best player in college basketball this season, Cooper Flagg.
Carmelo Anthony: One seat left at the table
In 2003, with Syracuse, Carmelo Anthony did what Cooper Flagg is attempting to do—carry his team to a national title as a freshman. Flagg’s dominant season has drawn comparison’s to Anthony’s 2003 tournament performance.
“I think what we’re seeing with Cooper has some similarities to the run I had,” Anthony said.
College basketball has gone through significant changes since Anthony’s year at that level. So the two players can’t be compared apples-to-apples.
“We were playing just for fun,” he said, “and we were happy to be there, and we were happy-go-lucky kids. Now, it’s a real business. You were coming to school to go to the national championship. Now you’re going to the best situation, which is totally different.”
As for Flagg’s game on the court, Anthony has no notes.
“I think what we’ve seen from Cooper from a skill set standpoint, I don’t think we’ve seen it in a long time—somebody who can control the game and demand the game in a way he can from all aspects, from rebounding, from weak-side, blocked shots to defense closing out. And he can get a bucket, too. So that adds a little bit more to your game.
“I just love watching him as a player. I said this the other day: If he can go get this championship, then he sits at that small table at Duke University. There’s one more seat left, and he has the opportunity to go pull that seat up.”
Anthony believes Flagg’s game translates to the NBA level.
“He’s already making the impact,” he said. “In college, guys are 26, 27, now. It’s not like you’re playing against 17-year-olds. You’re playing against grown men in college. He had an opportunity to play against the USA Team in practice. You get that experience at 17, 18 years old. I just hope we give him some grace. Give him some time to develop a couple years.”
Billy Donovan: He has the right mindset
Current Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan knows a thing or two about making the transition from college to the pros. He won back-to-back NCAA championships at Florida before moving on to the NBA.
“I think the game’s changed so much, because of what Carmelo said,” Donovan said. “A lot of these guys are older now. Guys are staying in college longer, because of the NIL and the opportunity to earn money.”
While Anthony focused on Flagg’s skills, Donovan was impressed with the freshman’s approach to the game.
“I’ve watched him,” he said. “The one thing that stands out to me, besides the skill level, is the tenacity, the toughness, the competitiveness. I was in college a long time. These guys (in the NBA) have a different mindset competitively. If you don’t have that mindset, it’s really, really hard to survive up there as a player. He appears to have that kind of mindset. That’s going to serve him well. He’ll get better in skill development … I think, because of Cooper’s competitiveness and leaning into stuff and the physicality, that’s going to serve him well as his skill level continues to grow and develop.”
Dwight Howard: Looking forward to seeing him thrive
Center Dwight Howard didn’t have the experience Flagg is going through right now. He went directly to the NBA from high school, without the one-and-done year that current rules mandate. Howard seems to think the season at Duke will help Flagg.
“I’ve had a few chances to watch him, and I think he’s an awesome young player,” he said. “Coming into the NBA at a very young age could be very difficult. I think his time at Duke, the way the staff has helped him grow as a player and a person, he’s going to be great in the NBA. I’m looking forward to seeing him thrive.”
