𝙆𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙚 𝙄𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝘿𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣… 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚:

Kyrie Irving Says Cooper Flagg Can Handle the Spotlight, Excited to See Duke Star Shine

NBA star Kyrie Irving recently spoke highly of Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, praising the young forward’s maturity and poise under pressure. “Cooper’s got that calm confidence about him,” Irving said. “He’s been in the spotlight since high school, and you can tell he embraces it, not runs from it. That’s rare at his age.” Irving, a former Duke standout himself, knows firsthand the intensity that comes with playing in Durham, and he believes Flagg is more than ready.

Irving went on to highlight Flagg’s unique skill set, calling him “a new-generation player” with the tools to succeed at both the college and professional levels. “He’s got the length, the motor, the vision — and he defends,” Kyrie noted. “But what I like most is his IQ. He sees the game differently, like he’s a step ahead. That’s the kind of guy you want leading your program.” The Dallas Mavericks guard said he’s excited to watch Flagg’s freshman campaign unfold and expects big things.

With high expectations swirling around Flagg entering the season, Kyrie’s endorsement adds to the growing belief that the Maine native could be a one-and-done star. Irving emphasized that the Duke environment — with its history, fan base, and pressure — will only sharpen Flagg’s game. “He’s built for Duke. And Duke’s built to bring the best out of guys like him,” Kyrie said. As the Blue Devils gear up for another championship push, all eyes will be on Flagg — and Kyrie, for one, will be watching.