Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Raves About Duke's Cooper Flagg: 'Plays the Right Way'

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics star and former Duke player, is singing high praises for current Duke standout Cooper Flagg, and honestly, the hype feels more than justified. Flagg, a freshman sensation, has caught Tatum's attention for his intense competitiveness and his knack for making all the right plays.

During an appearance on the "New Heights" podcast, Tatum shared his admiration, saying, "The first impression I had of Coop was just how hard he played, how he competed. In high school, it’s rare to see a guy that wants to guard the other best player, trying to block every shot, rebounding. And he just plays the right way."

Tatum first saw Flagg in action at his summer camp two years ago and has been following his rise ever since. "He has a great feel for the game. He knows how to set a screen. He knows when to cut. He likes to get his teammates involved," Tatum explained. He also pointed out that Flagg's team-oriented style is a big reason Duke is making waves this season.

Flagg has been the driving force behind Duke's stellar 33-3 record, leading them into the Sweet 16. The freshman has been a statistical monster, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Unsurprisingly, he’s the favorite to snag Player of the Year honors.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though. Flagg suffered an ankle injury during Duke's ACC tournament quarterfinals win over Georgia Tech, forcing him to miss the rest of the tournament. But Duke still clinched the ACC title without him—talk about resilience. Flagg bounced back just in time for March Madness, delivering standout performances in Duke's wins over Mount St. Mary's and Baylor.

In the Sweet 16, Flagg will be key as Duke faces No. 4-seeded Arizona on Thursday night—a matchup that could be a nail-biter.

As for Tatum, he knows a thing or two about Duke basketball. He played one season for the Blue Devils in 2016-2017 before being drafted No. 3 overall by the Celtics. Though he couldn’t win a college title, he’s built an impressive NBA career, earning six All-Star selections and playing a pivotal role in the Celtics' championship run last season.

Flagg's trajectory seems destined to follow a similar path, and if Tatum’s glowing endorsement carries any weight, the basketball world better keep its eyes on this kid.