ESPN analyst Austin Rivers believes that Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, should be added to the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team. Flagg, who is committed to Duke for the 2024-25 season, is seen as a potential asset for the team due to his talent and the experience he would gain from playing with seasoned professionals. Rivers, who played at Duke before becoming the No. 10 pick in 2012, compared Flagg to Christian Laettner and Anthony Davis, who both played for Team USA as college players.
The U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team is already set to be one of the most talented teams ever assembled, with players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid headlining the roster. Other committed players include Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton. Despite Flagg’s impressive credentials as the Gatorade National Player of the Year and leading Montverde Academy to a national championship, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated that he will not be included as the 12th player on Team USA, as the team is focusing on selecting the best players available for FIBA Basketball.
Wojnarowski emphasized that the days of adding college players to the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team are over and that the team is now prioritizing experienced players who are the best fit for FIBA Basketball. Rivers then suggested adding another former Duke player and No. 1 pick, Kyrie Irving, based on his past success with FIBA Basketball. Irving was the best player on the team that won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Despite Irving’s skill and experience, Haliburton was seen as a good fit for the team due to his compatibility with the other players.
While Rivers and other analysts believe in the potential of young players like Flagg and Irving to contribute to the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, the final decision ultimately lies with USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill. Hill, who is also a Duke alum like Rivers, has the responsibility of selecting the best roster to represent the United States on the international stage. Whether or not Flagg or Irving make the team, the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team is expected to be a formidable force with a lineup of talented and experienced players ready to compete for gold.
