Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-8, 195-pound sophomore wing from Montverde (Florida) Academy — the No. 2-ranked prospect in the high school boys basketball recruiting class of 2025 — on Monday night indicated he’d been offered a college scholarship by Kansas.
“I’m grateful to receive an offer from Coach (Bill) Self at the University of Kansas!!” Flagg wrote Monday on Twitter.
Flagg, who reported a scholarship offer from Kansas State on April 21, also on Twitter, has KU, Kansas State, Providence, Duke, UCLA, Michigan, Iowa, UConn, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia and others on his early list of schools. He hit 16 of 18 shots and scored 52 points (with 12 rebounds) for Team Maine in a Nike EYBL game two weeks ago in Atlanta.
A native of Newport, Maine, Flagg averaged just under 30 points a game for his AAU team at last weekend’s EYBL event in Arizona. Cameron Boozer, a 6-9 forward out of Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, is the only player in the class of ‘25 ranked higher than Flagg (by Rivals.com and ESPN.com).
“Flagg is double-teamed every time he touches the ball and adjusted well to the pressure, finding teammates for easy passes, particularly in the high-low situation. Flagg is one of the best rim protectors in the country, regardless of class, and is averaging 4.3 blocks per game in the EYBL,” wrote Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. “The way he creates second opportunities for his team on offense and his high IQ at such a young age makes him a young prospect many NBA scouts are already keeping tabs on.”
Ron Holland’s list includes KU, K-State
Ron Holland, the No. 2-ranked player in the recruiting class of 2023 by ESPN.com (behind Isaiah Collier, USC) recently asked out of his letter-of-intent with Texas.
According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, “the early indications on Texas de-commit and hard-playing forward Ron Holland are on Arkansas and the G-League Ignite as the frontrunners. But that could obviously change.”
Holland is a 6-8, 185-pound senior wing from Duncanville (Texas) High School. He initially chose Texas over UCLA and Arkansas.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports says Holland has received interest from coaches from both KU and Kansas State, plus Kentucky, St. John’s, Arkansas and Georgetown.
“Holland is very athletic, not just vertically, but in the way he covers the floor, thrives in the open court, can move laterally, and his speed. While the term ‘versatile defender’ gets thrown around easily these days, Holland actually embodies it,” wrote Adam Finkelstein, director of scouting for 247sports.com.
“Given that, along with his size and shooting potential, he has a chance to evolve into the modern-day big wing that is so coveted at the highest level. His overall skill-set needs to continue to develop, particularly as a handler where he can be guilty of trying to do too much, but there is a foundation to build off, even as a passer. He has to find a balance between competing with an edge and letting his emotions get the better of him, but when he’s playing with the motor that he showed during FIBA this summer, he’s extremely impactful.”
Ron Harper’s son, Dylan, has KU on list of five
Dylan Harper, the No. 3-ranked player in the recruiting class of 2024 and son of former NBA player Ron Harper — and brother of current NBA player Ron Harper Jr. — has KU on his list of five schools.
Harper, a 6-4 junior combo guard from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., has a list of KU, Auburn, Indiana, Duke and Rutgers.
“Rutgers (where his brother went to school), Duke and Indiana seem like the most serious players, however,” wrote Rob Cassidy of Rivals.com.
“Harper is very much in the discussion for the top spot in 2024 and he continued to make a convincing case this past weekend (at EYBL),” Cassidy added. “Currently the No. 3 prospect in the class, Harper is lethal from long-range but also is skilled at using his body to create space in the lane and finishing through contact. He scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed five rebounds against Brad Beal Elite on Saturday (playing for New York Rens).
“Harper’s ability to impact games on the glass as well as the assist column make him much more than just the three-level scorer he’s known to be. There’s a discussion to be had about Harper as the top junior in the country (behind Tre Johnson, 6-6 guard, Dallas Lake Highlands, also being recruited by KU) and Flory Bidunga (6-9, Kokomo, Indiana).”
Dickinson has completed visits
KU’s recruiting of players in the NCAA transfer portal continues this week.
Hunter Dickinson, a 7-1, 260-pound junior from Michigan, is expected to choose either KU, Maryland, Kentucky, Georgetown or Villanova at any time. Some analysts have speculated the decision could be announced Tuesday. He has visited five schools and has indicated there were no more visits planned at this time.
Jaylon Tyson, a 6-7, 210-pound sophomore from Texas Tech who has decided to leave the Red Raider program, visited KU last weekend. He also has visited Cal and also reportedly has heard from coaches from Missouri, BYU, Auburn, Arkansas, Creighton, Nebraska and others.
Of his KU visit, Tyson told Shay Wildeboor of Jayhawkslant.com: “The amount of history there is crazy. The love for basketball is unmatched and Lawrence, Kansas is definitely a place I could see myself being.”
Mgbako slated to visit KU
KU, according to various recruiting analysts, was to welcome Mackenzie Mgbako, a 6-8, 210-pound senior forward from Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey, on a campus visit starting Monday night. Other than Holland, he’s the only remaining five-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2023 yet to finalize his college choice.
He recently asked for a release from his Duke letter-of-intent. He’s to visit KU this week after visiting St. John’s over the weekend. He has a final list of KU, St. John’s, Indiana and Louisville.
Mgbako is ranked No. 8 by Rivals.com and No. 9 by ESPN.com in the recruiting Class of 2023.
