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Cooper Flagg will face same 'enormous pressure' as Caitlin Clark 'because he's white', says ESPN analyst
He hasn't even started college yet, but two ESPN analysts are already concerned by how Cooper Flagg will be perceived amongst his peers and in the media.
Hype for Flagg has been growing in recent days after he put on a clinic and dominated in a select team practice against the US Olympic Team in Las Vegas.
Flagg has been hyped as one of the biggest high school basketball recruits in the country and was recruited by big-name schools like Duke and UConn, eventually settling with Duke.
But 'Pardon the Interruption' hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon share concern that Flagg will be used, much like Caitlin Clark has, as a symbol in racial tension between Black and White players in the league - even if Flagg and Clark don't want to be.
'Look, he was the number one recruit and it's a big deal that he's going to Duke,' Kornheiser said.
Two ESPN analysts already fear that Cooper Flagg will face immense pressure as a white player
They compared his potential pressure to that being faced by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark
'Let's get to the real facts of this, okay? Because he's going to Duke and because he is a white player, assumptions are going to be made, statements are going to be thrown out there.
'That is the nature of what we're dealing with here as it is with Caitlin Clark. I hope he is a great player, but the pressure on him will be enormous.
'You and I talk about this on-air and off-air: Will there be a great white American basketball player again, sort of like Larry Bird? And if there is, will he be allowed to just be a basketball player or will all these cultural notions overwhelm him?'
Wilbon shared similar sentiments: 'I hope this kid has a stomach for this Tone with parents who can help and teammates who can help. But Tony, this is a real thing.
'People don't really want to get into it with Caitlin Clark. This is new. It is newer to women's sports. But there won't be that same reluctance and reticence when it comes to Cooper Flagg and Duke.'
Flagg is set to play his freshman year at Duke under coach Jon Scheyer this year and then is expected to head to the NBA Draft.
Already, Flagg is being projected as the top pick in that draft class.