Carmelo Anthony: The quest for the title of Cooper Flagg has “ similarities ”

San Antonio-Perhaps more than anyone, Carmelo Anthony understands the challenges this weekend for Cooper Flagg when Duke faces Houston in the Final Four on Saturday.

Twenty-two years ago, Anthony led Syracuse to the national championship, also as a first-year phenomenon. This achievement, as well as his NBA and Olympic exploits, helped him obtain a place at the Naismith basketball renowned temple, which announced its 2025 class on Saturday.

“I think what we see (Flagg) has similarities with the race I had,” Anthony said on the press conference at the Alamodome basketball temple on Saturday at the press conference. “I would also like to emphasize that you must also remove your hat (Duke Jon Scheyer’s coach) because the way he could orchestrate this team and put the pieces (Flagg) so that he can go there and flourish and do what he does and become the national player of the year.”

Flagg, who was appointed player of the year of the Associated Press this week, was a dominant force for Duke this season. The 6 -foot 9 inch striker is also the n ° 1 choice planned for the NBA 2025 NBA recovery. This season, he has an average of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.4 interceptions per match. He also connected 37% of his 3 -point attempts.

“From the basketball point of view, I think what we have seen from (Flagg), from the skills point of view, I don’t think we have seen it for a long time,” said Anthony. “He is someone who can control the game and order the game as he can in all aspects, from rebound to weakness, blocking shots to defense and closure, and also, he can also go get a bucket, so it adds a little more to your game. I loved looking at him as a player. If he could go get this championship, then he seated this little table at Duke University.”

Billy Donovan, former Florida Gators and the current Chicago Bulls head coach who was also inducted into the basketball renowned temple this week, said that Flagg was representative of a new generation of athletes who have entered the NBA in recent years.

“One thing that comes out in addition to the level of competence is tenacity, tenacity and competitiveness,” said Donovan on Saturday. “And (Dwight Howard) and (Anthony) know better than anyone, and I was at university for a long time: these guys have a different state of mind. And if you do not have this state of mind, it is really, really difficult to survive up there as a player. And he seems to have this kind of mentality that will serve him well.”

Howard, who was also appointed to the temple of basketball renown this week: “I think he is a great young player. Entering the NBA at a very young age could be very difficult. And I think that his time in Duke, the way the staff really helped grow as a player and a person, he will be great in the NBA, and I really impatient to see him.”

Anthony said that his experience was also different from that of Flagg because his Syracuse team had not faced the same pressure as Duke’s first year endured this season. In addition, Flagg plays against “adult men”, according to Anthony, who also affected his trip during his first year.

However, when he reaches the NBA, Anthony said that Flagg will go through the same adjustment period as he and other former saliates of the college have endured when they made the same jump.

“I just hope we give him a certain grace and give him time to develop for a few years,” said Anthony.