Cooper Flagg will never be the next Caitlin Clark and that’s a shame as NBA waits on next $100 million superstar
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has its own Caitlin Clark. The next Angel Reese, and a rival to compete with JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers. GettyCooper Flagg might only have a few games left in a Duke uniform[/caption] But why buy into Cooper Flagg during March Madness when the new face of the Duke Blue Devils has no intention of sticking around? Facts are facts, and the 18-year-old Flagg is already in his final days in blue and white. The freshman phenom’s Name, Image and Likeness worth is estimated at $4.8 million. By declaring for the NBA Draft, he’s guaranteed to make at least $60 million the second he signs a professional contract – and that doesn’t include his numerous off-the-court endorsements, which could push his Year One pro value past $100 million. LeBron James rightfully pointed out that the women’s version of March Madness is growing bigger and bigger because the sport is developing and promoting its own homegrown superstars. Clark was already a national name by the time that she carried Iowa to the national championship for a second consecutive season in 2023-24. Reese was already Clark’s perfect foil, turning two years of intertwined NCAA stories into the WNBA’s version of the Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson rivalry that defined the rise of the NBA in the 1980s. “The popularity comes in with the icons that they have in the women’s game,” James told ESPN. “You look at Angel Reese, you look at JuJu, you look at Caitlin Clark, you look at Paige.” Watching Flagg make NCAA history on the hardwood is beautiful – and painful. GettyFlagg made NCAA history in his initial two March Madness games[/caption] GettyHe’s dealt with eye and ankle injuries in recent weeks[/caption] GettyJuJu Watkins has been building toward her NCAA women’s tournament spotlight[/caption] The young man from Newport, Maine who grew up on Larry Legend DVDs has been brilliant in his March Madness debut. Superb ballhandling, buzzing full-court play and brimming confidence have been on constant display. Flagg has totaled 32 points on 11-of-23 shooting, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in back-to-back Duke victories that saw Jon Scheyer’s team win by a combined 67 points. The 6ft 9in and 205lb Flagg is the only freshman in 30 years to record those gaudy stats through two games in The Dance. Yet on June 26, he could join the horrendous Washington Wizards (15-55) as the No. 1 overall pick of the next NBA Draft. That’s a much-needed win for Adam Silver, who will soon need an official replacement for The King whenever James leaves the NBA behind. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment It’s an instant loss for men’s college basketball, which has been ripped apart in the past decade by NIL and the transfer portal. It’s senseless to suggest that Flagg should stick around an extra year in Durham, North Carolina and give up $95 million, just to improve the state of the men’s college game. No one is that selfless. But Flagg’s pending one-and-done status is another reminder of why the women’s game feels more vital in 2025 – in college and across the WNBA. Clark was an inspirational sports superstar before she ever became a pro. Reese was a global hero and villain, at the same time. Lauren Betts, a 6ft 7in ‘generational player’ for UCLA, is another reminder of what the men’s game is so badly missing. Flagg is just beginning to take over social media, shaking off a bad ankle injury that required a wheelchair to shoot and dunk all over lesser opponents. Allowing him to jump straight from high school to the pros — after he’d already blown away Team USA before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris — made more financial and practical sense. Just when America is getting used to the amazing new kid from Duke, he’ll be gone. And while the women’s game keeps growing, NCAA men’s basketball will be face-less again.
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has its own Caitlin Clark.
The next Angel Reese, and a rival to compete with JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers.
But why buy into Cooper Flagg during March Madness when the new face of the Duke Blue Devils has no intention of sticking around?
Facts are facts, and the 18-year-old Flagg is already in his final days in blue and white.
The freshman phenom’s Name, Image and Likeness worth is estimated at $4.8 million.
By declaring for the NBA Draft, he’s guaranteed to make at least $60 million the second he signs a professional contract – and that doesn’t include his numerous off-the-court endorsements, which could push his Year One pro value past $100 million.
LeBron James rightfully pointed out that the women’s version of March Madness is growing bigger and bigger because the sport is developing and promoting its own homegrown superstars.
Clark was already a national name by the time that she carried Iowa to the national championship for a second consecutive season in 2023-24.
Reese was already Clark’s perfect foil, turning two years of intertwined NCAA stories into the WNBA’s version of the Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson rivalry that defined the rise of the NBA in the 1980s.
“The popularity comes in with the icons that they have in the women’s game,” James told ESPN.
“You look at Angel Reese, you look at JuJu, you look at Caitlin Clark, you look at Paige.”
Watching Flagg make NCAA history on the hardwood is beautiful – and painful.
The young man from Newport, Maine who grew up on Larry Legend DVDs has been brilliant in his March Madness debut.
Superb ballhandling, buzzing full-court play and brimming confidence have been on constant display.
Flagg has totaled 32 points on 11-of-23 shooting, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in back-to-back Duke victories that saw Jon Scheyer’s team win by a combined 67 points.
The 6ft 9in and 205lb Flagg is the only freshman in 30 years to record those gaudy stats through two games in The Dance.
Yet on June 26, he could join the horrendous Washington Wizards (15-55) as the No. 1 overall pick of the next NBA Draft.
That’s a much-needed win for Adam Silver, who will soon need an official replacement for The King whenever James leaves the NBA behind.
March Madness Top Stories
Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson
‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance
NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever
Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
It’s an instant loss for men’s college basketball, which has been ripped apart in the past decade by NIL and the transfer portal.
It’s senseless to suggest that Flagg should stick around an extra year in Durham, North Carolina and give up $95 million, just to improve the state of the men’s college game.
No one is that selfless.
But Flagg’s pending one-and-done status is another reminder of why the women’s game feels more vital in 2025 – in college and across the WNBA.
Clark was an inspirational sports superstar before she ever became a pro.
Reese was a global hero and villain, at the same time.
Lauren Betts, a 6ft 7in ‘generational player’ for UCLA, is another reminder of what the men’s game is so badly missing.
Flagg is just beginning to take over social media, shaking off a bad ankle injury that required a wheelchair to shoot and dunk all over lesser opponents.
Allowing him to jump straight from high school to the pros — after he’d already blown away Team USA before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris — made more financial and practical sense.
Just when America is getting used to the amazing new kid from Duke, he’ll be gone.
And while the women’s game keeps growing, NCAA men’s basketball will be face-less again.
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