Flagg, Bailey headline NBA Draft class forwards
Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey were the first two names mentioned last summer when it came to college basketball’s top incoming freshmen.
Now they’re the headliners among forwards in the NBA draft.
Flagg led Duke to the Final Four and became only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year. Bailey put up quality numbers at Rutgers, though in a losing season.
Flagg and Bailey were ranked 1-2 in the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN. Now Flagg is the projected No. 1 overall pick, while Bailey is a likely top-five prospect.
Here’s a look at the position entering Wednesday’s first round:
COOPER FLAG
Strengths: The 6-foot-8, 221-pound Maine native has a versatile all-around game far more advanced than his age, with room to develop as he turns 19 in December. He led Duke in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). He shot 38.5 percent on 3-pointers and 84 percent from the line.
And then there’s his competitive edge, with multiple examples of Flagg’s willingness to take on big moments and receptiveness to firm coaching. That included coach Jon Scheyer lighting into Flagg during a first-half timeout in January for playing soft (in so many words) against NC State, then Flagg responding with 23 of his 28 points after halftime.
Flagg also went for 30 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three blocks as Duke held off Arizona in a shootout win in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, a performance Scheyer called “one of the best tournament performances I’ve ever coached or been a part of.”
CONCERNS: Not many. He can always get stronger, though he checked in at the combine 16 pounds heavier than his listed weight at Duke (205). He could also cut down on turnovers considering he had 15 games with at least three, though only two came after Feb. 1.
ACE BAILEY
STRENGTHS: The 6-8, 203-pound Bailey is a versatile shotmaker with athleticism. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds with stepback skills, a good midrange game and the ability to shoot off the dribble or on the catch. Notably, he ranked in Synergy’s 94th percentile for contested catch-and-shoot looks (39 of 81, 48.1 percent).
Bailey can attack the paint and stretch defenses with his range. He had five January games with at least four made 3s while shooting 34.6% from behind the arc on the season.
CONCERNS: Adding strength would help him against bumps and physical play by stronger defenders, such as improving on finishing just 42.1% of layups in the halfcourt at Rutgers. There’s a streakiness in his shot, such as making 12 of 31 free throws (.387) over a six-game midseason stretch or 7 of 39 3-pointers (.179) after January.
