Dick Vitale Makes Cooper Flagg Admission on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 11:05 AM ET

Cooper Flagg was drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks last Wednesday after a standout freshman season at Duke. The 6-foot-9 forward played just one year in Durham but led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and won the National Player of the Year award.

He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Though he’s originally from Newport, Maine, Flagg played his high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida—a school known for producing top talent that goes on to succeed in college and the NBA.

It was no surprise that Flagg, a former five-star recruit and the top player in the class of 2024 (247Sports), went there to compete with the best.

The 2023-24 Montverde squad finished the season a perfect 33-0, capping it off with a win over Paul VI High School in the Chipotle High School Nationals Championship.

In that game, Flagg tallied 16 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots. On Sunday, ESPN's Dick Vitale took to social media to reflect on watching Monteverde compete with a special mention of Flagg.

"When I saw them in person I felt Montverde Academy team could have beaten a # of D-1 teams - they were so impressive & I left in Awe especially watching Cooper Flagg," Vitale said.

When I saw them in person I felt Montverde Academy team could have beaten a # of D-1 teams - they were so impressive & I left in Awe especially watching ⁦@Cooper_Flagg⁩ .- via @ESPN App https://t.co/HwMdpxNFl0
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 30, 2025

Meanwhile, at the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday, Monteverde shone through. Three of Flagg's teammates from Montverde were drafted alongside him: former Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), former Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks) and former UConn Huskies guard Liam McNeeley. (Charlotte Hornets).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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