Sep 27, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard answers a question during the Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

NBA Legend Dwight Howard Offers Advice To Duke Star Cooper Flagg

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 2:29 AM ET

Cooper Flagg is coming off one of the best seasons of college basketball by any freshman of all time.

The 18-year-old is expected to be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer.

“I think he’s always looked like the number one pick in the draft.”

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer talks about unlocking Cooper Flagg's potential this season pic.twitter.com/04n23H59sg
— ESPN (@espn) April 3, 2025

In a recent episode of his podcast (Above The Rim with DH12), NBA legend Dwight Howard offered advice to Flagg (and other college stars entering the league).

Howard: "I'm hoping he has an awesome career in the NBA. It's just gonna depend, all these players, really how disciplined they are. Being in the NBA, I think it comes down to discipline. When you have access to a lot of money, you have access to anything... I hope that he uses his access to get in the gym and get better. All these guys. If they do, man, they're going to take the game and the NBA to whole other level."