Cooper Flagg made a strong collegiate debut, scoring 18 points in Duke's impressive 96-62 victory over Maine on November 4, 2024.

His debut has drawn significant attention, with many drawing comparisons to Zion Williamson's remarkable freshman season in 2018-19.

Flagg, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, is featured on the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watchlist alongside North Carolina's RJ Davis, the reigning ACC player of the year.

He aims to join an elite group of players who have won the Wooden Award as freshmen, including notable names like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson.

The Wooden Award recognizes the outstanding player in men's college basketball, and the preseason list is subject to changes throughout the season.

This season's national player of the year race highlights a competition between youth, represented by Flagg and other freshmen, and experience.

The watchlist also includes 41 upperclassmen, such as Kansas' Hunter Dickinson and Alabama's Mark Sears, showcasing a strong presence of seasoned players.

With the previous two winners being Zach Edey from Purdue, who won in 2023 and 2024, this year is set to see a new winner.

Other notable freshmen on the watchlist include Ace Bailey from Rutgers, VJ Edgecombe from Baylor, and Liam McNeeley from UConn.

In an interview, Flagg expressed his dedication to team goals while also acknowledging that being the No. 1 draft pick is a personal aspiration.