When veteran talent scout Eric Bossi first got word there was a promising basketball player in Maine by the name of Cooper Flagg, his reaction was entirely rational: “I don’t go watch kids in middle school.”
Yes, Flagg only was in eighth grade when his talent began to appear inevitable.
For 25 years, Bossi has been on the road evaluating top young talent in the sport, currently as national basketball director for 247 Sports. For every LeBron James, there have been many more young men overhyped by overzealous parents or summer coaches through highlight tapes or YouTube videos. There’s good reason to wait…