The Boston Celtics are 3-0, and Maine native Cooper Flagg committed to the Duke Blue Devils on Monday, capping off a fantastic week for New England basketball.
Flagg, the nation’s top high school boys basketball player, chose Duke over UConn, the reigning NCAA champions. Although many New Englanders were disappointed to see Flagg leave the area, Celtics standout Jayson Tatum was overjoyed.
Jayson Tatum on Cooper Flagg choosing Duke
Tatum went to Duke for one season, averaging an impressive 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Shortly after that, the C’s drafted Tatum third overall in 2017. When asked about Flagg’s choice, Tatum revealed his excitement and fierce loyalty to his former school, per Jay King of The Athletic.
“It was great … [Flagg’s] a hell of a player,” he said. “He’s going to be in the league here soon. Happy for him and his family. Obviously happy for Duke but it’s like, where else would you go? That’s where all the best players go.”
Duke is known for producing NBA-ready players, but Flagg shouldn’t need much development. He received his first Division I offer in 8th grade and can shoot, rebound, and block with the best of them:
Ironically, Flagg and Tatum share the exact same height at 6-foot-8. In fact, their games are similar as well, and Flagg even revealed last year that he likes to play like Tatum, per Jamie Shaw of On3.
“I always say I like to model my game after Jayson Tatum,” Flagg said.
While getting Cooper Flagg back to New England would be a dream come true for Celtics fans, he could be taken early in the NBA Draft. Regardless, the 16-year-old should flourish at Duke, much like his idol.
