Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey were the standout names in college basketball’s incoming freshmen last summer, and now they are key players in the NBA draft.
Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, making history as just the fourth freshman to be named Associated Press men’s national player of the year. Bailey, despite a challenging season at Rutgers, showcased impressive stats.
Ranked 1-2 in the 2024 recruiting class by major outlets like 247Sports, Rivals, On3, and ESPN, Flagg is projected to be the top overall pick, while Bailey is expected to land in the top five.
Cooper Flagg, Duke
STRENGTHS: Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 221 pounds, Flagg has a multifaceted game that exceeds his age with room for growth as he approaches 19 in December. He led Duke in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4), and blocks (1.4), with shooting percentages of 38.5% from three-point range and 84% from the free-throw line.
Flagg demonstrated his scoring ability by setting an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame, ranking highly in multiple analytics metrics for his effectiveness as a ballhandler, particularly in pick-and-roll, post-ups, and transition scenarios.
CONCERNS: There are few worries regarding Flagg, although he could continue to gain strength; he weighed in at 221 pounds during the combine—16 pounds heavier than his listed Duke weight (205). Additionally, reducing turnovers would benefit him, as he recorded 15 games with three or more turnovers, though only two occurred after February 1.
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
STRENGTHS: Bailey, at 6-foot-8 and 203 pounds, is a dynamic scorer with considerable athleticism. Averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, he excelled with stepbacks and a solid midrange game, showing proficiency in shooting off the dribble or catch. He ranked in the 94th percentile for contested catch-and-shoot situations.
Bailey has displayed the ability to penetrate defenses and stretch them with his shooting range. He had multiple games with at least four three-pointers, finishing the season with a 34.6% shooting average from beyond the arc. His defensive potential is evident as he averaged 1.3 blocks across six games with three or more blocks during Big Ten play.
CONCERNS: Gaining strength will be important for Bailey to contend with more physical defenders, as he struggles finishing layups at just 42.1%. His shot has shown a streaky nature, as seen by his free throw shooting of 0.387 over a six-game stretch and a disappointing 0.179 from three-point range after January. Additionally, the impact of his performance raises questions, given that the Scarlet Knights finished the season with a losing record.
