As the 2024-25 college basketball season tips off, all eyes are on the prestigious Wooden Award and the top players vying for the coveted honor. Leading the charge are two ACC stars: Duke’s electrifying freshman Cooper Flagg and North Carolina’s seasoned veteran RJ Davis. The Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List, unveiled on Thursday, sets the stage for an epic battle between youth and experience.
Cooper Flagg: The Future Face of Basketball
Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-9 prodigy, arrives at Duke with immense expectations. Touted by NBA superstar LeBron James as a future face of the league, Flagg wasted no time making his presence felt. In his collegiate debut against Maine, the freshman phenom poured in 18 points, offering a tantalizing glimpse of his boundless potential.
Flagg’s inclusion on the watch list is a testament to his rare talent. Only three freshmen have ever claimed the Wooden Award: Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson. Can Flagg etch his name alongside these legends and become the fourth to achieve the feat?
RJ Davis: The Seasoned Veteran
Standing in Flagg’s way is RJ Davis, the reigning ACC Player of the Year. The North Carolina star brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the table. Davis, one of 41 upperclassmen on the watch list, looks to cement his legacy and cap off a stellar collegiate career with the Wooden Award.
Obviously, that’s a dream. That’s something I’m trying to work toward every single day. It would mean a lot, obviously, it would be a blessing.
Cooper Flagg on potentially being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft
A Stacked Field of Contenders
While Flagg and Davis headline the watch list, they are far from alone. Other notable freshmen include:
- Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
- VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)
- Liam McNeeley (UConn)
The upperclassmen contingent is equally formidable, featuring stars such as:
- Hunter Dickinson (Kansas)
- Mark Sears (Alabama)
- Alex Karaban (UConn)
- Graham Ike (Gonzaga)
- Caleb Love (Arizona)
The Road Ahead
As the season unfolds, the Wooden Award race promises to be a thrilling one. Will a freshman sensation like Cooper Flagg rise to the occasion and join the exclusive club of first-year winners? Or will a battle-tested veteran like RJ Davis fend off the challengers and claim college basketball’s top individual prize?
The Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List is just the beginning. Players will be added and removed throughout the season based on their performances. If history has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Just ask Victor Oladipo, who surged from obscurity to challenge Trey Burke for the award in 2013.
One thing is certain: the 2024-25 college basketball season will be one for the ages. With a mix of young phenoms and established stars, the race for the Wooden Award will captivate fans from opening tip to the final buzzer. Let the games begin!
