Cooper Flagg 'was nervous' to face LeBron James, Team USA - ESPN

Cooper Flagg earned praise as he dribbled through NBA All-Stars and made shots over future Hall of Famers during a scrimmage between the United States select team and the men's national squad earlier this month in Las Vegas.

But before that matchup against Team USA, Flagg said he had to calm his nerves and «snap out of it,» especially when he realized he'd have to battle one of his idols — LeBron James.

«It was cool, an unbelievable experience,» Flagg said during an appearance on «The Brotherhood Podcast,» hosted by his Duke teammate Caleb Foster. «Just having the opportunity to be there and just share the court with that level of talent and player, the people who've made that type of name for themselves. I've been watching them for years, growing up.

»The first day, for sure, I was nervous. I didn't know what to think. I got on the court, and I was like, 'Wow.' I was guarding LeBron in the corner. It kind of just hit me for a second, and I had to snap out of it."

But 17-year-old Flagg, a five-star recruit for the Blue Devils and ESPN's projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, said he grew more comfortable once the game started. During one sequence, Flagg dribbled off a screen and hit a 3-pointer over the outstretched hands of Lakers star Anthony Davis — a moment that went viral.

«I think once I got going into it, it was just playing basketball, and I think a lot of players share a similar experience that once you start playing, the nerves and stuff [disappear],» Flagg said. «Most of the players that can really perform at a high level, once the tip goes up, it all goes away, for sure.»

Flagg led Montverde (Florida) Academy to a 30-0 season and national championship last season. College basketball fans will get their