NBA prospect Cooper Flagg (left) and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (right)
SLAM (DR) / Pierre Haessig

Already under close scrutiny ahead of the 2025 Draft, Cooper Flagg was given the privilege of facing the stars of Team USA during their preparation for the Paris Olympics.

And according to his own admission, the young American winger was particularly impressed… by LeBron James.

For the past few months, he has been one of the hopefuls whose name resonates most intensely in the NBA sphere .

After lighting up the courts of the American high school circuit, Cooper Flagg should do the same at the university level under the colors of Duke.

But before that, and at only 17 years old, he has already had the immense honor of being selected to participate in Team USA training sessions.

Cooper Flagg straight up after playing against LeBron

Involved in the US team’s preparation for the Paris Olympics, Flagg was able to measure himself against some of the league’s biggest stars.

The opportunity to catch the eye of Kevin Durant in particular thanks to his impressive performances. A recent guest on The Brotherhood podcast , the young winger mainly talked about having been able to rub shoulders with a certain… LeBron James. Myron Medcalf of ESPN reports:

Cooper Flagg said he had to calm his nerves and “get a grip on myself” before the practice game against Team USA, especially when he realized he was going up against one of his idols,

LeBron James. “It was an incredible experience. I got to share the court with players of that level and with flashy names. I watched them for years, growing up.”

In his 21-year career, LeBron James has inspired countless American children to try basketball. For many fans of this latest generation, their dream is to one day become like the King.

As for Flagg, it has undoubtedly become a goal. But for now, he can already boast of having faced the Lakers superstar, who is also his biggest idol.

That said, it is now his own story that the neo-Blue Devil will have to write.

Currently at the top of the various mock drafts, he will have the mission of confirming all the good that the experts think of him in the coming months in the NCAA.

And when we see the mixtape of his high school years, we understand not only the craze around him, but also why LBJ represents his role model:

Among the top talents in the 2025 Draft class, Cooper Flagg recently got to showcase his talent against LeBron James and Team USA. And it’s clearly a moment he’ll remember for the rest of his life.