Duke Blue Devils basketball phenom Cooper Flagg's ceiling in NBA questioned ahead of 2025 NBA draft

After a few weeks at Duke, it was evident Cooper Flagg was going to be the first name off the board in the 2025 NBA draft. Flagg reclassified up a year, so instead of enjoying the festivities that come with being a senior in high school, the young phenom was the most dominant player in college hoops, cementing himself as just the fourth freshman to win the Naismith Trophy.

Everyone from premier analysts to casual observers has agreed for months that Flagg is a general prospect who can change the league's landscape upon arrival. He's not flawless, but it's easy to picture him quickly developing into an All-NBA or even MVP candidate of that caliber.

One prominent FOX Sports voice isn't quite as sold on Flagg's future as the consensus.

During a recent appearance on "The Herd," popular radio host and basketball pundit Ric Bucher sounded skeptical of Flagg's pro potential.

"I think what he was able to get done at Duke and the college level was because his size and strength were such a significant advantage," Bucher said. "He's going to play that three-four, and you must be super quick and athletic to play that in today's game. The other part that makes me nervous is he already has a very refined game. His skills are already at a high level; how much better can he get?"

Bucher sounds fatigued by the endless Flagg praise because these points hardly make sense. 

Flagg is a tremendous athlete—just because his opponents will have more natural ability in the NBA doesn't mean he just vanishes.

How many above-average players across sports are finished products before their 21st birthday? 

Flagg could easily improve on his jumper, and then he'd be a blend of Jayson Tatum and Kevin Garnett, which, in other words, would mean he'd be the face of the league for over a decade.

Flagg is as close to a guaranteed superstar as you can find—don't overthink it.