Cooper Flagg received acclaim for his performance as he skillfully navigated through NBA All-Stars and made shots over future Hall of Famers during a recent scrimmage between the United States select team and the men’s national team in Las Vegas.

Before facing Team USA, Flagg admitted he had to overcome his nerves, particularly when he realized he would be competing against one of his idols, LeBron James.

“It was an incredible experience,” Flagg shared on “The Brotherhood Podcast,” hosted by his Duke teammate Caleb Foster. “Just being there and sharing the court with players who have made such a significant impact was amazing. I’ve been watching them for years.” He added, “On the first day, I was definitely nervous. When I stepped onto the court and found myself guarding LeBron in the corner, it hit me, and I had to shake myself out of it.”

Despite his initial anxiety, 17-year-old Flagg, a five-star recruit for Duke and ESPN’s projected No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA draft, became more at ease once the game began. During one notable play, he dribbled off a screen and made a 3-pointer over Lakers star Anthony Davis, a moment that quickly went viral.

“Once I got into the flow of the game, it just felt like playing basketball, and I think many players experience the same thing—once the game starts, the nerves fade away,” Flagg said. “Players who excel at a high level usually find that once the game starts, those feelings disappear.”

Flagg led Montverde Academy in Florida to an undefeated 30-0 season and a national championship last year. Fans will get their first official look at him during Duke’s Countdown to Craziness event on October 4, which marks the beginning of the Blue Devils’ Midnight Madness preseason.

Flagg will join returning players Tyrese Proctor and Foster, grad transfer Mason Gillis, and five-star recruit Khaman Maluach in their quest for Duke’s sixth national championship and first since Mike Krzyzewski’s departure.

Flagg has garnered significant preseason attention, reminiscent of the buzz Zion Williamson received before his lone season at Duke in 2018-19 when he won the Wooden Award. He credited former Duke star Grant Hill, now managing director of USA Basketball, for giving him the chance to play with the select team and compete against Team USA.

To prepare for his college debut, Flagg is focusing on improving his agility and quickness. Additionally, he is working on gaining a mental edge by incorporating golf and yoga into his routine.

“I’m working on enhancing myself in ways beyond just physical conditioning,” he said.