Cooper Flagg named to Team USA Select Team ahead of Olympics

Cooper Flagg signed an endorsement deal with New Balance. (USA Basketball)

The next year will be very busy for Cooper Flagg. And it will include practicing with the United States Olympic team.

Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, was named to the Team USA Select Team ahead of this summer’s Paris Olympics, USA Basketball announced on Friday. He’s one of 15 players on the Select Team who will train with the U.S. men’s national team from July 6-8 in Las Vegas as it prepares for the Olympics.

Flagg, who is heading to Duke for his freshman season this fall and is a projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is the only college player on the Select Team. He’ll be the first collegian to participate with the senior team since Marcus Smart and Doug McDermott in 2013.

Flagg will be joined on the Select Team alongside a group that includes Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, Hornets forward Brandon Miller and Magic guard Jalen Suggs. The Select Team features 12 players who are currently on NBA or G-League rosters.

Being chosen to the USA Select Team is an indication that there is potential to play for Team USA in the future. Flagg already has some Team USA experience. He was a member of the team that won gold at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup. He was also named USA Basketball’s male athlete of the year in 2022, the youngest player ever to win that honor.

“As a former member of the USA Select Team, I know how important and fun this opportunity is for each of these players,” said Grant Hill, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent on this Select squad with the significant job of helping the 2024 USA men’s national team as they begin their journey to the Olympics. Each of these athletes will play a role in our preparation as we also develop the national team pipeline for the future.”