Dick Vitale Duke’s Cooper Flagg ‘in his own world’

In his first game against rival North Carolina on Saturday, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg impressed Dick Vitale.

Vitale shared on X (formerly Twitter) that in his near half-century covering college basketball games at ESPN, he’s never been as impressed by the skills of a player as young as Flagg.

“All I can say in 45 years @espn I have not seen a player as young as @Cooper_Flagg so skilled – he is in his own World – he is THAT GOOD,” Vitale said.

All I can say in 45 years @espn I have not seen a player as young as @Cooper_Flagg so skilled – he is in his own World – he is THAT GOOD!

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 1, 2025

Vitale has certainly seen some remarkable freshmen in his time at ESPN. It’s a list that includes — but is by no means limited to — players like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.

That said, Vitale could hardly be blamed for being impressed by Flagg — who put on an absolute show against the Tar Heels.

Dickie V with very high praise for Cooper Flagg, who is putting on a show for Duke vs UNC tonight on ESPN. 🏀🔥pic.twitter.com/MaD7bmsIkz https://t.co/UfW1jNTtb5

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2025

He finished the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in Duke’s 87-70 win.