**“The Torch Is Passed”: Grant Hill Crowns Cooper Flagg as NBA’s Next Duke Superstar in Dallas**
When Duke speaks, the basketball world listens. The Blue Devils’ legacy is a tapestry of greatness, woven by icons like Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, Kyrie Irving, and Jayson Tatum. Now, as the NBA descends upon Dallas for All-Star Weekend, another chapter in Duke’s storied lineage is being written. This time, it’s Grant Hill himself—once the golden child of Cameron Indoor—passing the torch to Cooper Flagg, the phenom poised to become the next Duke superstar to dominate the league.
The moment was poetic. Amid the glitz and glamour of All-Star festivities, Hill, now a cornerstone of NBA ownership and broadcasting, didn’t mince words when asked about Flagg’s meteoric rise. “Cooper isn’t just the future of Duke basketball—he’s the future of the NBA,” Hill declared, his tone carrying the weight of a man who’s seen generations of talent come and go. “He’s got that *it* factor. The kind of player who changes franchises.”
Flagg, the 6’9” forward from Montverde Academy, has been a household name in recruiting circles for years, but his ascent to the top of the 2025 draft class has been nothing short of spectacular. With a game that blends Kevin Durant’s scoring finesse, Scottie Pippen’s defensive instincts, and a Duke-era Grant Hill-like command of the floor, Flagg is the archetype of the modern NBA wing. His commitment to Duke last fall sent shockwaves through college basketball, and his preseason dominance at Cameron Indoor has only amplified the hype.
But Hill’s endorsement isn’t just about talent—it’s about timing. The NBA is in a transitional phase. LeBron James, though ageless, is in the twilight of his career. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant remain elite, but the league is hungry for its next transcendent wing. Flagg, with his two-way prowess and preternatural maturity, fits the bill. “He’s got the complete package,” Hill added. “And what’s scary is he’s just scratching the surface.”
The parallels between Hill and Flagg are impossible to ignore. Both arrived at Duke as generational prospects, both carried the weight of immense expectations, and both embodied the program’s ethos of excellence. Hill, of course, went on to become a seven-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Flagg’s path is just beginning, but the blueprint is there.
What sets Flagg apart, however, is his unrelenting competitiveness. Teammates and opponents alike rave about his motor—a trait that echoes Duke’s most beloved stars. “He doesn’t take plays off,” said one NBA scout in attendance. “You watch him, and he’s guarding every position, crashing the glass, making the extra pass. Kids like that don’t come around often.”
The Dallas backdrop for Hill’s proclamation only adds to the symbolism. The city is no stranger to basketball royalty, from Dirk Nowitzki to Luka Dončić. Now, as Flagg prepares to take the collegiate stage next season, the NBA’s eyes are already fixed on his inevitable leap to the pros. Draft analysts project him as the consensus No. 1 pick in 2025, with teams like the San Antonio Spurs (armed with Victor Wembanyama) and the Detroit Pistons (desperate for a savior) already dreaming of landing him.
For Duke fans, Flagg’s rise is both a continuation and a renaissance. The program has produced its share of NBA talent in recent years—Tatum, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero—but Flagg represents something different. He’s not just a high-flying dunker or a scoring savant; he’s a throwback to the do-it-all wings like Hill and Shane Battier, players who defined Duke’s identity for decades.
As All-Star Weekend unfolded, Flagg’s presence loomed large, even in absentia. Highlights of his high school and FIBA performances played on screens, and veterans like Hill and Tatum were peppered with questions about the teenager destined to join their ranks. “I’ve seen the tapes,” Tatum said with a grin. “That boy’s different. Duke’s got another one.”
The torch has been passed before—from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, from Kobe to LeBron, from LeBron to… well, the next in line is still up for debate. But if Grant Hill’s words carry the weight they should, Cooper Flagg isn’t just a candidate for that mantle—he’s the heir apparent. And when he finally steps onto an NBA court, the league may never look the same.
For now, the basketball world waits. But one thing is certain: When Duke speaks, everyone listens. And right now, they’re saying Cooper Flagg is next.
