Cooper Flagg is the No. 1 player in the 2025 class
On3 released its first 2025 class rankings today with 50 names on the list, and Newport (Maine) Montverde Academy wing Cooper Flagg is the No. 1 player in the initial 2025 rankings.
The top of the list was probably the most heavily weighted conversation we have had with rankings over the last two years. Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer are the two players in the conversation and the two players who will remain in the conversation. There are projected to be no less than six more rankings updates between now and when the 2025 class graduates; this conversation is by no means finished.
The 6-foot-8 Flagg is one of three five-stars in On3’s inaugural 2025 rankings.
Let’s discuss why Flagg got the nod over Boozer and why he is so special in this class.
Flagg is an elite defender
The first thing that pops off the page is Cooper Flagg’s ability to defend. Standing 6-foot-8 with a lengthy wing span, Flagg’s anticipation is unparalleled in this class.
Flagg has a unique understanding of angles. As a weak side shot blocker, his rotations are naturally crisp, and he is able to swat the shot at its peak. He averaged 4.7 blocks per game during EYBL play.
This number was not an anomply. Flagg spent part of his summer in Spain playing in the u17 FIBA World Championships. The USA team won all seven games and the gold medal. Flagg averaged the fifth-most minutes per game while being the only player on the team to average one block per game. Flagg averaged 2.9 blocks.
He also can move his feet and guard along the perimeter. Primarily guarding the opposing team’s best wing threat, Synergy says Flagg gave up .758 points per possession in EYBL play, which ranked him in the 88th percentile among his peers. He comes with up a lot of deflections, but he also gets a lot of steals.
Flagg’s 2.4 steals per game also led the u17 USA men’s basketball team in the FIBA World Championships. The five-star doubled down during EYBL play averaging 1.5 steals per game.
His natural anticipation creates a lot of dead possessions for the opposing team and a lot of live opportunities for Flagg’s team, no matter the setting.
Flagg is a unique scorer
Cooper Flagg is an explosive athlete. His length helps him finish with his elbow above the rim in transition. His fluidity and balance help him attack the rim and finish from various angles, in the half court. Flagg has a nose for the open space on the floor. He is an advanced off-ball cutter, moving constantly when he is not on the ball.
On the ball is a place where he can continue developing. However, he has a good handle and can get downhill off one and two dribbles. His athleticism and length allow him to finish off his straight-line drives at and above the rim. However, on an island, Flagg’s handle can use some sharpening to develop into a weapon.
The shooting is something that projects well moving forward. During the FIBA World Championships, Flagg shot 42.9 percent from three. During EYBL play, Flagg averaged 1.5 made threes per game. He also shot 82.7 percent from the free throw line.
At 6-foot-8, he is also an excellent passer. His Maine United EYBL team would routinely run actions through him from multiple spots on yhr floor. Flagg showed both touch and anticipation in setting up teammates, averaging 4.2 assists per game. While he did also average 3.7 turnovers, many of those were due to being too aggressive in threading the needle or off the bounce. Flagg’s basketball IQ and his ability to see the floor, and a play develop, are high level.
Flagg’s NBA archetype
The most common name heard in reference to Cooper Flagg is Andrei Kirilenko, and when you watch, you can see shades of Kirilenko in there. The efficiency Flagg plays with on the offensive end coupled with the game changing defensive attributes.
In his prime, Kirilenko was a solid free throw shooter and a reliable three-point shooter. While he was not a breakdown-type ball handler, he scored in an efficient manner, taking advantage of opportune moments his motor, athleticism, and IQ created.
Kirilenko was also twice named All-Defensive NBA first team. He was an all-star and led the league in blocked shots one season. His ability to dictate play from the defensive end of the floor was special. Kirilenko cut off half the floor with his defense.
At the 15u travel ball level and the u17 world level, Flagg shows some of those same tendancies. In only 19 minutes per game, again fifth most on the team, Flagg, who was a year and a half younger than the average age of his u17 teammates, led the USA Men’s team in rebounds (10.0), steals (2.4), and blocks (2.9).
The intangibles
Cooper Flagg comes from a basketball family. He has a twin brother, Ace Flagg, a D-I recruit who plays high school and travel ball with him. His mother, Kelly (Bowman) Flagg, also played basketball at Maine. During her four seasons there, Maine won four consecutive conference championships.
Flagg’s mother was the team captain of the 1999 Maine team that upset Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Flagg recently finished his freshman year at Newport (ME) Nokomis Regional High. He was the first freshman ever awarded Maine high school boys basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. This summer, the rising sophomore announced he would transfer to reigning Geico National Champion Montverde (FL) Academy.
Standing at a lengthy 6-foot-8, the forward can handle, shoot, and pass at the highest level. Flagg has positional versatility on both ends of the floor, which is paramount in today’s game.