Cooper Flagg studies the game of Durant, Tatum and more to dominate

Cooper Flagg doesn’t just want to be a prospect. He wants to be a problem—the kind opposing coaches lose sleep over. To get there, the young American basketball phenom has decided to study the best in the NBA with surgical precision. According to reports, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and Anthony Edwards are among the players he dissects. This isn’t passive admiration—it’s active analysis. Flagg watches, breaks down, and adapts.

As revealed by his inner circle in a piece published by EssentiallySports, the 17-year-old forward includes targeted film sessions in his training routine. Cooper Flagg studies how Durant creates space with his wingspan, how Tatum shifts pace to throw defenders off balance, how Butler makes decisions under pressure, and how Edwards attacks the rim with force. Every detail matters. Every move has a purpose.

Owning the court

Cooper Flagg is the rising star everyone’s talking about. And now that he’s been selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, expectations are sky-high for him to take command on the court and become a breakout force. His performances with Team USA U17 and his dominance in prep basketball made him one of the most coveted prospects in the country. But what truly sets him apart isn’t just his physical tools or raw talent—it’s his mindset. He’s not content with being good. Everything points to Flagg wanting to understand the game the way the greats do—especially now that he’ll be playing against them.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida de Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs)

This methodical approach has earned praise from coaches and scouts alike. Some compare Cooper Flagg to Luka Dončić for his ability to read the game from multiple angles, though the rookie has a more athletic profile. His mix of basketball IQ, work ethic, and versatility projects him as a rare talent. Still, we’ll have to wait for his official debut with the Mavericks to see if the kid has what it takes.

A better versión

In the meantime, Cooper Flagg continues shaping his identity. He’s not trying to copy anyone—he’s absorbing the best from each role model to build his own version. He prefers to study shooting angles, defensive patterns, and clutch-time decisions.

Modern basketball demands more than talent. It demands understanding, adaptability, and constant evolution. And Cooper Flagg seems to get that. He doesn’t want to be the next Durant or Tatum. He wants to be the first Flagg. And he’s doing it with notebook in hand and the eyes of a veteran.