🏀 “The Torch Is Passed”: Grant Hill Crowns Cooper Flagg as NBA’s Next Duke Superstar in Dallas
When Duke speaks, the basketball world listens — and Grant Hill just made it loud and clear: Cooper Flagg is next. In a powerful endorsement that lit up the 2025 American Century Championship, the Hall of Famer and Blue Devil icon didn’t just praise Flagg — he passed the torch. With Kyrie Irving recovering and Dallas gearing up for a playoff run, Hill believes the 18-year-old Duke sensation is built to take the reins. “Let him lead. Let him make mistakes. He’s a special talent,” Hill declared. For the Mavericks, the message is simple: trust Flagg, and greatness will follow.
Grant Hill bullish on fellow Duke Blue Devils basketball alum Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving teaming on Mavs under Jason Kidd
Grant Hill was happy to open up on fellow Duke Blue Devils basketball alum Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving when I asked him at the 2025 American Century Championship what he thought of the 2025 NBA draft’s No. 1 overall pick and his fit on the Dallas Mavericks.
Hill sees special abilities in Flagg, a dynamic ball-handling forward, the kind of player Hill helped pave the way for, and likes the fit under head coach Jason Kidd.
“I like it for Cooper. I like it for the man. Cooper brings a skill set, where he does a number of things … Put the ball in his hands. Let him be a decision maker, let him learn from mistakes, but also hold him accountable. Have expectations of being a playoff team,” Hill said.
“I’m not sure when Kyrie comes back, whether he comes back, I know he’s gonna take his time and do the right thing, but I think it’s a great spot for Cooper, and I think Cooper has a chance to show the NBA and basketball world that he’s a special talent.”
Irving’s ACL tear will likely keep him sidelined until a theoretical postseason run. By re-signing Daniel Gafford and signing D’Angelo Russell, there’s a clear mandate from Nico Harrison and the Mavs’ ownership group to win now.
Flagg needs to figure things out quickly. If Kidd has to win, he’d quickly bench Flagg for P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Gafford if the Maine native isn/t up to speed.
Hill has no doubts it’ll work out for the 18-year-old in the long run.
About the 2025 American Century Championship
The American Century Championship will air from Friday to Sunday on NBC, Peacock, and the GOLF Channel. Hill is one of over 90 athletes and celebrities in the annual mid-July golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada.
