NBA Comparison: Shawn Marion/Andrei Kirilenko

Strengths: As explosive as prospect as you will find … Has great size at 6’8″+ (appears to still be growing) and what appears to be over a 7-foot wingspan (though no official measurement has yet been reported) … Let’s start with defense: Flagg routinely — yes, routinely — accumulates 10 blocks or more in his high school games … Has great timing and instincts combined with a tenacity and real desire to get after opponents’ shots… As mentioned, he’s long, and ultra explosive (quick off his feet and has a good second- and third-jump) … Goes up defensively with two hands taking advantage of “verticality” and keeping great body control despite slight frame… On the perimeter, defensively, Flagg is sound. Not quite as elite at this stage as with shot blocking, but very good (and gets impressive steal numbers)… Defensive length, instincts, and interest are elite… Offensively, Flagg is a high flying finisher and a nightmare on the fast break… Very fast in the open court… Gets to the rim with ease also in the halfcourt… Creative playmaker as well with excellent court vision and desire to facilitate for teammates … Love his competitiveness. Has a presence. Never shies away from a match up or moment … Fiery, feisty player… Has the type of attitude that can’t be taught… Talks his talk and backs it up … Likes to get flashy with a behind the back pass, tomahawk jam, or his trademark monster block (swat) … Has wiry strength in a thin frame … In the half court, loves to blow by his man, go into a powerful jump stop, and explode up for a two-handed jam … Has developed a reliable outside shot out to NBA 3-point range with a clean release … Can also hit a mid-range jump shot … Down low, when he’s not trying to rip the rim off the hoop, he has ability to hit a drop step into a soft floater or baby hook shot … Active on the boards, both offensive and defensive … Boxes out and has good fundamentals … Can absorb contact better than you’d think from looking at his currently somewhat slim frame, both on the boards and on the finish …

Weaknesses: While Flagg is a good scorer and aggressive player, he is currently not an explosive scorer who will put 50 points on the board — important note for a player ranked as highly as Flagg… At this stage, while Flagg has plenty of tools on offense, defense is more his calling card … Form on his shot looks very promising, but still goes through cold spells shooting the ball and doesn’t hit the three ball with enough consistency yet … Jumpshot form can be inconsistent and a hair slow. It’s more of a set shot sometimes from three, but usually a jumpshot from mid range, which is fine but adds to some inconsistency …Handle is good enough to create off the dribble, but not an area where he excels. Can clean up in this area a bit to take his offensive game to the next level…  While physically strong against high school competition, will need to continue to add strength while maintaining mobility to sustain his elite-defender status at the next level … has broad shoulders similar to a Chris Webber, but will need to focus on adding more core strength and leg strength … Strength is in need of improvoemnt, but in reality he appears to be on a natural progression with regard to Currently a good playmaker. But still has room to grow in this area (harnessing the creativity) as well to reach true “point forward” status …

Notes: Flagg grew up in Newport, Maine and initially attended Nokomis Regional High School, where he became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year (averaging 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game). He also led his team to a blowout 43–27 win in the state championship game against Falmouth High School (tallying 22 points, which was more than half of what his own team scored, and nearly equal to the entire output from the opposition… plus 16 rebounds) … Transferred to Montverde Academy (alma mater of former #1 overall picks Joel Embiid, Cade Cunningham and Ben Simmons) at the end of his freshman year … Both of Flagg’s parents are former ballers. Mother, Kelly, played basketball at University of Maine (1995–99) and was a three-time America East champion, made four NCAA Tournament appearances and was team captain as a senior. His father, Ralph, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College.

Outlook: Reclassified to become a senior joining the class of 2024 during the summer … Will attend Duke next season and be eligible for the 2025 draft where he’s become the overwhelming favorite to be the first overall pick …

Drew Wolin 11/10/23