Cooper Flagg has yet to put on a Duke jersey and play in an NCAA tournament. To most though, he is an NBA-ready prospect awaiting his name to be called before anyone else. Some argue it’s only because the NBA doesn’t allow high school players to enter the draft. After all, Flagg is only Duke’s 2nd player with a 1.000 rating by 247Sports after RJ Barrett. Being a top pick comes with an unrelenting weight and ruthless demands. ‘Bad Boy’ Rick Mahorn feels the youth are unprepared for the challenges that attach themselves to having such pressure.

The ex-Sixer recalls a 22-team league. Because of less demand for players in general, the NBA didn’t need to rush college standouts, and they too prioritized gaining experience. That’s changed since the one-and-done rule came into effect.

Now mere teenagers come into the league and that’s what Rick Mahorn is worried about. “They have to develop quicker and be able to sustain it. You compare it to a first-round pick like Tim Duncan or a David Robinson. But then if you try to compare that, they both were guys that went to school for 4 years. These were basically young adults,” he said.

“21, 22 they were playing and the league was able to handle themselves. So the thing is how quickly you learn to adapt and it’s a lot of pressure being a first pick in the draft,” Mahorn explained. Maturity plays an influential role in the process. With 4 years of college, legends like Tim Duncan had great knowledge of their own style. He was already a 2x ACC Player of the Year and 3x NABC DPOY. That being said, with time, their understanding of the game naturally grows. It lets players be better prepared for when they do make it in the NBA with strong confidence in their roles.

As opposed to the modern age, where the breakout stars only attain a year of college experience. It helps them translate their styles into the NBA, but there are still undiscovered parts in their arsenal. They have to begin decoding that by being in a high-intensity NBA setting where every action is taken with urgency and purpose. That timeframe is compact.

Cooper Flagg doesn’t seem to be someone rattled by pressure

During the early years of the one-and-done rule, maybe there could be an argument about the youngster struggling. But since it’s been 19 years since its introduction, the league has adjusted to becoming universally younger. Additionally, the general degree of athleticism has risen since the previous generations. Then comes Cooper Flagg, the man himself. With Montverde, he had the audience on their feet each time his game was over. The thunderous 6’9″ forward is born for the spotlight. He has spotless instincts on the court and is exemplary on all levels of scoring. As enthusiastic as he is, his composure doesn’t waver, even against the NBA’s best.

Flagg recently swooned the NBA group that won the gold medal in Paris. He was playing and guarding the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. And he stood as their equal. Devin Booker saw him chasing ‘greatness’. He was flaunting it all, step-back threes, running by the defense, and even blocking shots. If pressure were to exist, Flagg seems to be comfortable sleeping on that bed.

Although, the younger did admit, “At first I was a little bit blown away when I first walked up here. But then once the ball went up, it’s basketball to me at the end of the day.”

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Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.