Regardless of the sport, this year promises to be interesting to watch at the very least, from the rookies’ hands.
With a decorated college career presiding over him, two-way back Travis Hunter was selected by Jacksonville Jaguars by moving up from fifth to second in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg is shaping up to be the first pick in this season’s NBA Draft and the Dallas Mavericks are expected to make this big decision by having the first pick.
With all the way to go, they are expected to shine in their rookie season, but according to Paul George they will have to prove themselves in their respective leagues as well.
In his new episode of “Podcast P with Paul George” the Philadelphia 76ers small forward and former NFL players Channing Crowder and Ryan Clark discussed how they view Hunter with the Jaguars.
Despite Crowder’s warning that Travis doesn’t instill fear, George dispelled doubts and compared it to LeBron’s arrival:
Bron comes in the league, I don’t think people was like, ‘Oh shi*t, here comes Bron.’ We know how good he is, we’ve heard of him, we’ve watched and followed him. Similar to Travis we’ve all got to follow his stardom.
Accordingly, Clark asked him if they thought rookies should prove their worth, to which George responded with an analogy to Cooper Flagg. As the veterans will look to quickly read his game and defend or attack him, it will all be up to him.
First week, Cooper Flagg comes in the league, he gonna be in all the action… It’s gonna come to a point where A, Cooper can guard like a motherf**. We not gonna attack him no more. Or B, the league knows Cooper Flagg cannot guard. That’s what Travis is going to see. Either A, stop going to that motherf** or he can flat out guard.
The numbers presiding over the rookies
Cooper Flagg, at 18 years old and 2.06 tall, led the Duke Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance. He also averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season.
Travis Hunter, meanwhile, became one of the most decorated players in college soccer history during his time with the Colorado Buffaloes. He won eight major awards – including the Heisman – and closed his career with nearly 2,000 receiving yards, 21 total touchdowns and seven interceptions, playing on both sides of the ball.
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