June 3, 2025 — Durham, NC / Denver, CO
In a stunning development that may redefine the landscape of college athletics and NBA branding strategy, Duke University freshman Cooper Flagg has reportedly agreed to a $28 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with the Denver Nuggets, just hours after newly appointed Nuggets head coach David Adelman addressed the media for the first time.
The deal, which sources say spans multiple years, is considered one of the most high-profile and highest-valued NIL agreements ever involving a college athlete and a professional sports franchise. Although the agreement does not signal an official commitment to the Nuggets, it does establish a formal commercial partnership between the organization and one of the most talked-about young talents in basketball.
A Strategic Partnership
The $28 million NIL package reportedly includes:
•A signature apparel and footwear line promoted under the Nuggets’ brand umbrella
•Participation in exclusive Nuggets digital media campaigns, including docuseries-style features and content for global markets
•Community outreach programs led by Flagg in both Denver and his home state of Maine
•Joint youth basketball clinics and off-season appearances coordinated with Nuggets players and staff
According to sources close to the negotiations, the deal was finalized shortly after Coach David Adelman held his first press conference as head coach of the Nuggets, where he addressed both the team’s future and the increasing role of NIL in shaping early relationships with top-tier talent.
“We’re entering a new era in basketball,” Adelman said during his remarks. “It’s not just about who’s on your roster—it’s about who’s connected to your culture. Cooper Flagg is a generational player, and if we can be part of his journey early on, it’s a win for all sides.”
Who Is Cooper Flagg?
A 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, Flagg took the basketball world by storm as the first high school player to be unanimously ranked No. 1 in his class since Zion Williamson. After committing to Duke University, Flagg has been preparing for his freshman campaign under head coach Jon Scheyer, with the 2025–26 season expected to be his only year in college before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Known for his elite defensive instincts, high IQ, and explosive scoring ability, Flagg has drawn comparisons to players like Kevin Durant and Paul George, with some scouts calling him “the most complete high school prospect of the last decade.”
What This Means for NIL and the NBA
This NIL agreement is particularly noteworthy because it marks one of the first direct branding deals between an NBA franchise and a player who has yet to play in the league. While NCAA rules prohibit pay-for-play deals or contractual agreements between active college