The hype round Cooper Flagg exploded two summers in the past and has not relented.
These within the know had recognized the native of Newport, Maine, as a blue-chip prospect lengthy earlier than he attended the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in July of 2023, however it was at that elite recruiting showcase that Flagg emphatically launched himself on the nationwide stage.
Flagg averaged 25.4 factors, 13.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 6.9 blocks over seven jaw-dropping performances that week in North Augusta, S.C., demonstrating the flexibility to dominate as a scorer, rim protector, ball-handler and facilitator.
The hysteria solely grew when Flagg, initially in line to graduate in 2025, reclassified and dedicated to Duke for the 2024-25 season.
Extremely, he’s lived as much as the sky-high expectations. He led the Blue Devils in practically each statistical class as they surged to a 33-3 file and an ACC regular-season championship.
Now, Newark will get to seize the frenzy round Flagg as he leads No. 1 Duke into Thursday night time’s Candy 16 matchup towards No. 4 Arizona on the Prudential Heart.
“This is just something I dreamed about ever since I was a little kid,” Flagg, 18, stated Wednesday of enjoying within the NCAA Match. “These are the moments that I imagined myself being in when I was in the driveway, things like that. Just a surreal feeling to be here in these moments and have these opportunities.”
Flagg enters this week’s East Regional averaging 18.7 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 steals per recreation, all of which rank first on Duke and inside the prime 11 amongst ACC gamers.
The 6-9 ahead is one among 4 finalists for Naismith Participant of the 12 months, together with Auburn’s Johni Broome, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. and Purdue’s Braden Smith.
Flagg is taken into account a slam dunk to the be first decide on this summer time’s NBA Draft, eliciting ranges of pleasure that rival what Zion Williamson and Victor Wembanyama generated earlier than him.
The sweepstakes to pick out Flagg has led to added consideration across the Wizards, Jazz, Hornets, Pelicans, Sixers and Nets, who maintain the NBA’s six worst data and thus the six greatest odds at touchdown the No. 1 decide.
“Cooper is about to move on with something incredibly special with the next step he’s going to go [to] after this,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer stated Wednesday.
“Happiness doesn’t necessarily equate to just becoming a pro or just making money, although they’re making money either way now [through NIL]. Each guy is their own individual, so I think depending on the situation, guys should make the decisions for themselves. But Cooper’s thing is different.”
Even with the highlight, Flagg has demonstrated a capability to rise to the event. He scored 22 factors throughout an early-season win over Arizona, then erupted for 22 factors, 11 rebounds, two blocks and three steals in a victory towards then-second-ranked Auburn.
These gaudy performances got here in Flagg’s fifth and eighth collegiate video games.
Flagg totaled 16 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in 23 minutes in final month’s 110-67 drubbing of Illinois at Madison Sq. Backyard — his solely recreation within the New York metropolitan space earlier than Thursday’s.
And Flagg led the Blue Devils in scoring in 11 of their 20 video games in ACC play, throughout which they went a exceptional 19-1. He was named the ACC’s Participant of the 12 months and Rookie of the 12 months.
“He’s very kind, but he kind of keeps to himself,” stated freshman guard Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s teammate and roommate. “He likes to joke around. He’s a good guy. He’s good to us even when he’s talking crap. He’s a great guy to be around off the court.”
Flagg missed all however quarter-hour of the ACC Match after he suffered an ugly-looking ankle harm throughout Duke’s win over Georgia Tech within the opener.
Duke nonetheless managed to win the convention match with out him.
Flagg has since alleviated any concern in regards to the harm lingering, averaging 16.0 factors, 8.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in Duke’s wins over No. 16 Mount St. Mary and No. 9 Baylor within the first two rounds of the NCAA Match.
“Cooper, obviously, is a huge part of what we do with every aspect,” Scheyer stated. “[Looking at his] defense in particular, his length, and then his instincts, he closes that window quick when somebody does have an opportunity. It’s led us to really protect our rim well, but also create some turnovers and steals to lead to easy opportunities.”
With a victory over Arizona, Duke would advance to Saturday’s Elite 8 in Newark and face the winner of No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 6 BYU.
Leaving Newark with two wins would imply a visit to the Remaining 4, which is about to happen April 5-7 in San Antonio.
A championship is all that’s left to perform in what’s been a particular season for Flagg.
“I haven’t really taken much time to look back and look at the year we’ve had,” Flagg stated. “Something I’m most proud of is our team as a whole coming together and being so connected, going into so many battles together and just coming out with a lot of wins.”
