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NBA Dunk Legend Dwight Howard Makes His Opinion of Cooper Flagg Extremely Clear

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 7:14 PM ET

Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and throughout the NCAA Tournament, he has only solidified his status as the best player in the class.

NBA legend and Hall of Famer Dwight Howard has seen firsthand what Flagg can do, and he's confident that the youngster has what it takes to be successful in the NBA.

Howard said as much after being named to the 2025 Hall of Fame class on Saturday, ahead of the men's basketball Final Four. The Orlando Magic icon described Flagg's game as "awesome," adding that he has really grown as a player with Duke.

“I’ve had a few chances to watch him and I think he’s an awesome young player coming into the NBA at a very young age could be very difficult,” Howard, who is also a one-time NBA Dunk champion, stated, via NJ.com.

"I think his time at Duke, the way that the staff has helped him grow as a player and a person, he’s going to be great in the NBA. I’m looking forward to seeing him thrive."

Dwight Howard is a former No. 1 pick and a one-time NBA champion. He's also an eight-time All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist, with many considering him as one of the most dominant forces in the league during his prime. With that said, he certainly knows greatness when he sees it.

Clearly, his high praise of Cooper Flagg speaks volumes of what the young forward has done so far in his career.

Flagg was recently honored with the Wooden Award as the most outstanding men's college basketball player of the season. He became just the fourth freshman to win the honor, joining Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, per ESPN.

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

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