Duke basketball player Cooper Flagg candidly expresses his emotions about his junior season

There is no doubt that Duke basketball’s Cooper Flagg is the talk of the basketball world, especially with his freshman season just around the corner. After Flagg was expected to impress as a member of the Team USA select team in preparation for the main team for the Olympics, he spoke to the media for the first time on Friday, talking about his expectations.

Flagg is viewed as the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft, so the hype is at an all-time high and the pressure is on for the 17-year-old to perform well from the get-go. However, he did say how introverted he is for the upcoming season and, according to The Athletic, expressed his enthusiasm about being able to be with his teammates.

“I think when it comes to media hype and everything that comes with it, it’s something you have to learn to deal with. For me, it’s just about playing basketball, so I’m excited to work with our team,” Flagg said. “We have an amazing group of guys. I got to know everyone in the team really well. So I’m very excited to start. As far as the hype goes, I’m just focused on playing basketball and trying to win every day.

Cooper Flagg of the Duke basketball team on attracting attention

Instead of getting upset about all the press and attention, Flagg embraces it and sees it as a sign of respect. He seems to have the right attitude and despite his immense talent, according to ESPN, there will be some obstacles that his older teammates can help overcome.

“There are always eyes everywhere. When I got here, some of the students went crazy,” Flagg said. “But it’s a compliment that shows all the hard work you’ve put in and people want to see you and support you… Not every day is going to be perfect,” Flagg continued. “Not every day will be good for you. I will have bad days. My teammates had been through this before, so relying on them and asking them for strategies helped me get into a rhythm.

He already has the respect of his teammates, like Maliq Brown, a junior transfer from Syracuse, who said he carries himself like a veteran for Flagg’s age.

“His mentality and mindset are not those of a 17-year-old,” Brown said. “What is being thrown at him, seeing his face on social media and everywhere he goes is amazing. What he says, how he behaves on the pitch – you can’t expect that from a 17-year-old. It definitely deserves to live up to expectations.”

Either way, the Duke basketball team will be impressive in the upcoming season as its first game will be on November 4 against Maine.