Cooper Flagg Mania is here. And the top Kentucky basketball recruiting links.
At the moment, a 15-year-old from Maine might be the biggest thing in the world of college basketball recruiting.
Cooper Flagg — a 6-foot-8 wing from Newport, Maine — has taken the grassroots basketball scene by storm, beginning with a star-making performance at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain this month. There, he averaged 9.3 points and a team-high 10.0 rebounds per game while helping lead USA Basketball to a gold medal. In the title game against Spain, he had 10 points, 17 rebounds, eight steals, four blocks and two assists.
This week, Flagg’s stellar play has carried over to the Nike Peach Jam, where he’s drawn rave reviews from longtime analysts and early looks from major college coaches. Rankings for the 2025 class are not yet widespread, but it’s clear that Flagg will be the early favorite for the No. 1 overall spot, thanks in large part to his high-level versatility as a defender. (He’s great on the offensive end, as well). Last week, On3.com’s Jamie Shaw ranked Flagg as the No. 1 overall prospect in all of high school basketball, regardless of class.
Flagg, who doesn’t turn 16 years old until late December, already has scholarship offers from Duke, UCLA, Michigan, and several other major programs. Duke Coach Jon Scheyer was courtside for one of his games Thursday, and Flagg has made no secret of his fandom for the Blue Devils’ program growing up. Still, he’s said he will take a fresh approach to the recruiting process and is open to all suitors. Plenty of top programs will surely jump in.
Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links
UK basketball mailbag: Answers on recruiting, Calipari and more
No. 1-ranked recruit GG Jackson picks South Carolina, to reclassify
Aaron Bradshaw exploring all options, will commit before season
Q&A: 5-star point guard Elliot Cadeau discusses Kentucky interest
Calipari saw Justin Edwards in another impressive showing Friday
2023 star DJ Wagner taking time with decision, looking for ‘home’
Karter Knox is dominating the Peach Jam like his NBA brother
USA Today projects Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston in first round
Kentucky watches class of 2024 guard Dylan Harper at Peach Jam
Louisville offers Isaiah Miranda, a longtime UK recruit of interest
Penny Hardaway and Jon Scheyer check in on Bronny James
Kentucky and North Carolina lead list of winners of the offseason
National analyst is now ‘cloudy’ on Aaron Bradshaw’s recruitment
Peach Jam notes: Kentucky offer has Boogie Fland’s attention
Tre Johnson ‘surprised and honored’ to earn Kentucky offer
Watch: More recent highlights of Kentucky target Ian Jackson
In case you missed it: Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso will move to ‘22
Cooper Flagg is looking even better than advertised at Peach Jam
DJ Wagner updates recruitment, talks NIL deal with Nike sub-label
Analyst sheds light on the latest with 2023 recruit Bronny James
More Next Cats links: Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso visits Kentucky
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
