Analyzing Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper: Who Are the Next Stars of the NBA?

Analyzing Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper: Who...

By Arslan Saleem June 13, 2024 14:47

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Throughout the theme of basketball, the up-and-comers of the sport cannot go unnoticed. Ballers Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey are three names that have made a significant amount of noise. We take a deeper dive into these three promising talents, including how they went from high school standouts to Duke and Rutgers and what they could look like as the next wave of NBA stars.

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Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg, a power forward from Montverde Academy, has been a force to be reckoned with. His exceptional skills and versatility on the court have earned him the top spot in the 2024 class, making him a highly sought-after prospect for Duke. Flagg's dominance in high school basketball, coupled with his remarkable performance in the McDonald's All-American Game, solidifies his position as a player to watch out for in the upcoming NBA draft.

Dylan Harper, a guard hailing from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has been making headlines with his outstanding performances. His natural feel for the game, combined with his strength and agility, has set him apart as one of the best freshman guards in college basketball. Harper's rise to the No. 3 spot in the 2024 class showcases his potential to become a key player for Rutgers, further cementing his status as a top recruit with a promising future in the NBA.

Ace Bailey, a forward from Powder Springs, Georgia, has been a standout talent throughout his high school career. His explosive athleticism and shot-making abilities have garnered attention, positioning him as the No. 2-ranked prospect in the nation. Bailey's remarkable ascent in the basketball world and his commitments to Rutgers underscore his potential to become a star player at the college level and a future contender in the NBA

Life at College & The Future Ahead

Flagg joins fellow Duke commits Wendell Moore, Jalen Johnson, and and trasnsfer Boogie Ellis as a versatile collection of players who can take on lead scoring responsibilities at the next level, whether in the frontcourt or the backcourt. He very well could be a top-five talent eligible for the 2025 NBA draft, and college only strengthens the case he is an NBA-level player.
Harper and Bailey are the kind of impact-makers Rutgers needs to rise to relevance in men's basketball. Expectations are raised with their presence on the team and with Rutgers looking to be a much more competitive team this year and in the future.

The Next Crop of NBA Stars

We see the future of the NBA ushered in with Flagg, Harper, and Bailey at the next level, and so often, we look through the lens of how it will be - the level of promise that is offered exponentially greater as the years go on. With such transcendent talents as well as a fascinating path from high school dominance to college commitments, this trio could be the next wave of NBA stars. The world of basketball is eagerly awaiting the impact these emerging basketball players will have in the NBA that can rival the class of 2023 that has names like Alexandre Sarr, Zacharie Richard, Reed Sheppard, and Matas Buzelis.
Wrapping up, the landscape of basketball is currently under change coming in the form of Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey. From dominant high schoolers to the top recruits in the nation, they are ready to embark on what promises to be an electrifying new era in the NBA. .