The landscape of college basketball looks a little different these days, and it’s not just the fresh faces on the court. A subtle but significant trend is emerging: the game is getting older. The numbers suggest it’s more than just a coincidence. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average age of Sweet 16 starters in 2019 sat at 20.8. Fast forward to 2021, and it climbed to 21.2. Now? It’s all the way up to 21.6. That might not seem dramatic at first glance, but in a game where youth and fresh legs used to dominate, it marks a significant shift—and Carmelo Anthony, who knows a thing or two about college ball, isn’t staying silent about it.
During a press conference clip shared by Landon Buford on YouTube, a discussion around young phenom Cooper Flagg opened the door for Carmelo to share some honest thoughts. While praising Flagg’s early promise, the former Syracuse standout didn’t hold back from pointing out just how different the landscape has become.
“He’s already making an impact,” Melo said, before drawing attention to the age of today’s college players. “He’s already playing against, you know, in college, guys are 26, 27 now. Like, it’s not like you’re playing against 17 years. You know, you’re playing against grown men in college.”
It’s a fair point—and one that makes Flagg’s trajectory all the more intriguing. Carmelo Anthony also emphasized the kind of experience Flagg is getting early on, especially after practicing against the USA team. This exposure to seasoned NBA players, with their elite skill levels and understanding of the professional game, provides an invaluable learning opportunity for a young prospect like Flagg, accelerating his development in ways that traditional college competition might not. That kind of exposure at just 17 or 18 isn’t common, and Melo’s hope is that people give the kid some breathing room for the future. “Give him a time to develop for couple of years,” he added.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round Practice – Raleigh Mar 20, 2025 Raleigh, NC, USA Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg 2 catches a pass during the NCAA pre tournament practice at Lenovo Center at Lenovo Center. Raleigh Lenovo Center NC USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xZacharyxTaftx 20250320_jcd_bx6_0069
Sure, Flagg’s future is full of potential, but Melo’s comment about age wasn’t just a passing thought either. It raises an eyebrow for anyone following the game closely. According to a report by Yahoo! Sports, Auburn—the No. 1 seed—has a starting lineup averaging 23.2 years old. Now here’s the kicker: in an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, the 10 starters averaged exactly 23 years. To top that off, five NBA teams, including the Washington Wizards, whose starters average just 21.2, were younger than Auburn.
So, how did we get here? Much of it traces back to the NCAA’s evolving transfer policies. The transfer portal was introduced in 2018, but things really shifted after 2021. Before that, most athletes had to sit out a year after transferring—unless they had specific exemptions. But in 2021, the NCAA gave athletes a one-time green light to transfer and play immediately. And in 2024, even multiple transfers were allowed to suit up without delay.
What that has created is a system where schools are pulling experienced talent from the portal rather than banking on fresh high school prospects. This shift is largely driven by the desire for immediate success and the proven track record of older players who have already navigated the college game. These transfers often bring a level of physical maturity and understanding of college systems that freshmen typically lack.
The outcome? An older, tougher, and more physically mature college basketball scene, just as Carmelo Anthony pointed out. However, despite that, the former NBA star is already quite hopeful for an 18-year-old, Cooper Flagg. And he should be considering the kind of players he is drawing parallels with.
Cooper Flagg recently attracted comparison with a Chicago Bulls legend
Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils gave it their all, but their Final Four journey ended against Houston on Saturday night. With the college season now behind him, the spotlight has shifted to a much bigger stage—Flagg’s anticipated NBA future, where he’s widely projected to go No. 1 overall.
And here’s where it gets interesting. ESPN recently dove into potential NBA comps for Flagg, and one Eastern Conference GM dropped a name that made fans do a double-take—Scottie Pippen. Pippen was renowned for his all-around game, excelling in scoring, rebounding, assists, and, most notably, defense. The comparison suggests that Flagg possesses a similar versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple facets, even if his initial role in the NBA might be as a highly impactful secondary star.
“I say Scottie because he could have been a No. 1 guy, and was after MJ left [Chicago], but he became by far the best No. 2,” the GM explained. “I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him. He can obviously prove me wrong, but I don’t see him as a No. 1 guy on a championship team in his career.”
Pippen, at 21, was putting up 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.1 steals at Central Arkansas. Meanwhile, Flagg, just 18, wrapped up his freshman year with 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in what many believe will be his one and only season at Duke.
Well, the stat lines might differ, but there is a similarity in the well-rounded nature of their gameplay. So, Carmelo Anthony might as well be right about Cooper Flagg’s bright future, given that he receives time to grow.
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