Could Cooper Flagg Make $20 Million in College? The NIL Power Play That Might Rival the NBA
In an era where the lines between amateur and professional basketball are blurrier than ever, one name continues to stir imagination, debate, and speculation: Cooper Flagg. The 6’9” phenom out of Maine, now committed to Duke, has long been hailed as a generational talent. But what if, instead of taking the fast track to the NBA, he decided to stay in college—or even more provocatively, enter the transfer portal after his freshman year?
It’s a hypothetical, sure, but one with real traction. With the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era fully underway, the idea that a player like Flagg could command tens of millions to play one more year in college isn’t far-fetched. In fact, it might be the new normal.
Let’s not forget that Flagg reclassified to enter college early—he should be a high school senior right now. That extra year of development, both physically and mentally, could be massively beneficial, not just from a personal standpoint but financially, too. And if he were to enter the transfer portal after one year at Duke, the bidding war among top-tier programs and their affiliated collectives could reach unprecedented heights.
Consider this: Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe reportedly earned close to $2 million during his return season. The Cavinder twins, without being pro prospects, raked in seven figures at Miami. And Obi Toppin’s brother, Jacob, also benefited significantly from NIL while still in school. If these names can pull in that kind of money, what’s the ceiling for a surefire No. 1 pick and a marketing dream like Cooper Flagg?
The number being floated in fan discussions and among insiders is $20 million. Yes—twenty million dollars. That’s more than the first-year salary of most top-5 NBA draft picks. But unlike the NBA, where rookies face immediate pressure to perform, intense travel schedules, and often isolation from their peers, college offers something different. It’s a built-in support system, a campus lifestyle surrounded by people your own age, and the chance to be the face of a university—something even NBA stars rarely get to experience again.
Mental health and lifestyle aren’t just buzzwords anymore—they’re becoming major parts of the decision-making process for elite athletes. The NBA might offer generational wealth and a professional setting, but it also comes with intense scrutiny, grueling schedules, and in many cases, loneliness. College, on the other hand, can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience—especially when it comes with life-changing money.
So, what would happen if Cooper Flagg decided to wait a year and explore the transfer portal? It would likely set off a nuclear NIL arms race, with schools and collectives crafting never-before-seen packages. From branded merchandise and national ad campaigns to equity deals and lifestyle perks, the possibilities are staggering.
And perhaps more importantly, it would represent a seismic shift in the power dynamics of college basketball. For the first time, staying in school might not just be sentimental—it might be the smartest financial move.
