Cooper Flagg Wins Gatorade Player of the Year, Talks Team USA, Duke Future, and Sneakers

Cooper Flagg has been awarded the Gatorade Male Player of the Year award, solidifying his status as one of the sport's brightest young stars.

“It’s an honor to take home this award, and having it handed to me by some of the biggest names in basketball makes it even better,” said Flagg. “The list of former Gatorade Best Players of the Year speaks for itself, so it’s special to put my name next to theirs.”

The 17-year-old joins an elite group who have won the award including LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Karl-Anthony Towns, among others.

In an exclusive interview with Complex, Flagg opens up about the future, joining the Team USA Select Team, and his highly anticipated upcoming season at Duke University. We also talked about topics ranging from basketball and favorite Gatorade flavors to which sneaker brand he’ll eventually sign with.

What does it mean for you to be nominated for a Gatorade Player of the Year
Yeah, I think it's a huge honor. It's a big accomplishment for me having won it at the state level. My freshman year, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year for basketball in Maine, and then winning nationally as a senior. It kind of just shows that growth, shows that improvement, and I think especially with an award like this, it shows more than just you're playing on the court. It takes it outside and shows who you are as a person in your community.

Favorite Gatorade flavor?
I think my favorite Gatorade flavor is yellow.

Going into basketball and switching gears a little bit, who are kind of your biggest influences growing up both on and off the court?
I think my biggest influences, I would have to say with my parents growing up, they both had played basketball. My mom played at University of Maine, so I think just having that influence playing in the driveway with both my parents at times, it was just invaluable experience and advice from them about if it's what I wanted to do, and they just helped me every step of the way.

How confident are you in your abilities? Even more so now, just playing with Team USA and kind of making an impact on the court around a bunch of Hall of Famers.
For sure. I think it was a huge opportunity for me to be able to just share the court with the players at that level, and I was blessed to have the opportunity and the experience and I think, like you said, just being able to go out and show what I could do. I was already confident but I think it kind of just stamps [it] even more in my mind, and just gives me more confidence going forward.

Do you feel like you deserve a spot on that team? Did you feel snubbed when you heard about the Kawhi news?
No, not really. I mean, I don't feel snubbed at all. I mean, Derrick White is an exceptional player. He obviously earned it. So I think just all props to him is something that he earned and it's his opportunity, so I'm excited for him. And obviously, they have to just win the gold medal.

You talked about your parents being a huge influence on you. Who are some NBA players you idolized or modeled your game off of?
Yeah, I think when I was really young, just really watching the Warriors vs. Cavs stuff, like seeing LeBron, seeing Curry, KD, even when I was young. Those are some of my favorite players. Just watching the best in the league do it at the highest level. And then I think more recently, Tatum a little bit, being a Celtics fan. So being able to watch him bring a lot of success, that's been really cool.

How does it feel to be kind of the expected No. 1 pick in the draft, and how do you balance that expectation but still go into even this rookie or freshman season just being calm and collected? Just how do you balance everything?
To me, I mean, mock drafts and things like that, I don't really take into account at all. Just take 'em for what they are. I mean, it is what it is to me at the end of the day. I'm trying to get into June next year. That's where I want to be. So that's all I'm thinking about. Just staying grounded, staying humble, staying focused, and just trying to get better every day.

Do you have a favorite Duke Blue Devil?
No, I wouldn't say I have a favorite.

When you committed, did any Blue Devil alumni reach out? Who stood out the most in terms of a mentor perspective?
I mean, Tatum definitely had reached out and I saw him at his camp last year, even before I was committed. Just the advice that he was able to give me and stuff like that, it was just really cool to hear that. And then everybody that I've met so far from the Brotherhood have been really welcoming.

In terms of sneakers, what brands have approached you? Who are you looking to sign with?
Yeah, I mean, I've had some meetings. I wouldn't say I have a specific favorite type of shoe or anything like that, but yeah, we're kind of working through the process right now.

What's in your current rotation?
Yeah, I mean, I've worn Kobes before. I like Kobes. I've worn KDs, I've worn the Kawhis a little bit. I wore the Hardens, the Ants. I don't really have a specific favorite and I'm not really picky. I like all types of shoes.

When you're not playing basketball, what’s your favorite way to spend your time?
I'd say probably on the golf course, trying to get better, get my swing better. I've been playing a little bit of golf recently, more and more throughout the past year and a half, so I'm getting better. I'd say usually when I have a day off I'll try and get a couple of holes in.

What does it mean for you to be a part of the Gatorade family, what was your reaction when you saw MJ and those ads? I know you said a bunch of times before that he's your GOAT, but what does it mean to be a part of that family?
Sure. I mean, I think it means a lot to me to be kind of welcomed into this family and get this award and this opportunity. So it just means a lot. It shows a lot to my character and who I am. I think in this award, it shows a lot about your community and type of person you are, and the impression you leave behind. So I'm just blessed to have the opportunity and to get this award.