Cooper Flagg has captured the NBA’s imagination before playing his first professional game.
The generational talent from Duke brings a unique skill set that has veterans and coaches scrambling to find the perfect comparison.
The comparisons keep flowing from different corners of the league. Coach Jason Kidd sees similarities to former Rookie of the Year Grant Hill.
Meanwhile teammate P.J. Washington places Flagg in the same generational category with LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Tony Allen, the defensive stalwart who played for Boston and Memphis, believes Flagg possesses qualities reminiscent of former All-Star Andrei Kirilenko.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesJim Jackson sees offensive brilliance in Cooper Flagg that is similar to Keith Van Horn and Jayson Tatum
Former Mavericks star Jim Jackson recently offered perhaps the most detailed comparison yet. Jackson sees Cooper Flagg combining the best attributes of two distinct players: Keith Van Horn and Jayson Tatum.
“I liken him to a lot like Keith Van Horn, athleticism, size, but a lot like Jason Tatum, too. Like a combination between the two,” Jackson explained.
“Because people forget how good Keith Van Horn was at Utah coming out of college. They forget about athletics, 6’10 who can run the floor, can shoot, and now you combine that footwork with Jason Tatum, step backs, pivots, and making plays.”
Jackson emphasized one key difference that might set Flagg apart: “He might be as close, but I think the motor in which Cooper has is just different.”
Career trajectory possibilities show two different paths to stardom
Like both Van Horn and Tatum, Flagg possesses the versatility to play small forward or power forward. Kidd has even experimented with using him as a primary ball handler during Summer League action, showcasing his complete skill set.
The comparison becomes fascinating when considering the different career trajectories of Van Horn and Tatum.
Van Horn exploded early, posting 20+ points and 8+ rebounds in just his second season. Tatum took a more gradual approach, reaching that production level in his fifth NBA campaign.
Whether Flagg follows the early spike model or requires patience before reaching All-Star numbers, the spotlight will be intense from game one.
The combination of Van Horn’s athleticism and Tatum’s refined footwork could create something special in the NBA.