Cooper Flagg Drops 42 on Notre Dame: Is He Running Away as the Top Prospect in the 2025 Draft?

Locked On NBA Big Board - NBA Draft Podcast

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe breaks down Cooper Flagg's historic 42-point performance against Notre Dame, where the Duke freshman shattered school and ACC records. Rafael highlights Flagg’s dominance, emphasizing his versatility on full display—combining outside shooting, interior scoring, and relentless aggressiveness that earned him 17 trips to the foul line. Flagg’s seven assists also stood out, showcasing his ability to impact the game as both a scorer and a playmaker. Rafael shares his thoughts on whether this performance solidifies Flagg as the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, noting how Flagg’s improved three-point shooting—12 of his last 22 attempts—addresses earlier concerns. Barlowe also explores the exceptional talent in the 2025 draft class, spotlighting standout performances from Ace Bailey’s 39-point game against Indiana and Dylan Harper’s back-to-back 30-point efforts over Thanksgiving. Despite a class filled with potential boom-or-bust prospects, Rafael explains why this group, led by Flagg, Harper, and Bailey, could be one of the most exciting in recent memory.