Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has expressed admiration for Duke University freshman Cooper Flagg, noting his impressive performance on the court. In an interview with Andscape's Marc J. Spears, Banchero highlighted Flagg's abilities, referring to him as a 'hell of a player.' He mentioned following Flagg's performance during notable games, including a matchup against Kentucky, and recognized the overall talent present on the Duke roster this season.

Despite experiencing some inconsistency in his perimeter shooting, Flagg has largely met the expectations set for him in the early stages of his collegiate career. In his first four games at Duke, he is averaging 16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, with shooting splits of 44.2% from the field, 22.2% from three-point range, and 78.9% from the free-throw line. His contributions have been significant in helping the Blue Devils secure a 3-1 record and a ranking of No. 12 in the latest Associated Press top 25 poll.

Flagg's ability to lead Duke's offense and his defensive skills have already sparked discussions regarding his potential in the NBA draft. Notably, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman forecasts that the 17-year-old could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Banchero, who himself made a strong impression during his one year at Duke before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2022 draft, can relate to Flagg's current situation and success at the collegiate level.