- Flagg sustains scratched eyelid during hard foul, misses 11 minutes
- Scores 16 points post-recovery with 55.6% shooting accuracy
- Scheyer reveals personal connection to eye injury risks
Second-ranked Duke demonstrated depth and determination Saturday night as freshman sensation Cooper Flagg weathered a mid-game eye injury during their ACC showdown against Florida State. The 6'9forward collided with two Seminoles defenders while driving to the basket, resulting in visible facial scratches and temporary vision impairment. Team medical staff conducted three separate evaluations before clearing him for second-half action.
Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized Flagg's mental fortitude, recalling his own career-ending 2014 eye injury while playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. We implemented new protocol this season with sideline ophthalmology kits,Scheyer noted, referencing Duke's $2.3 million athlete health initiative launched after Zion Williamson's 2019 knee injury. This regional safety focus has reduced concussion-related absences by 41% across ACC programs since 2022.
NBA scouts in attendance saw why Flagg remains a projected top draft pick despite the scare. The Maine native demonstrated elite spatial awareness post-injury, converting 78% of his paint attempts while directing defensive rotations. His performance aligns with historical data showing 68% of lottery picks who play through collegiate injuries exceed rookie season expectations.
With starting guard Tyrese Proctor sidelined by a knee sprain, Flagg's adaptability proved crucial. The Blue Devils improved to 18-0 when their star freshman logs 25+ minutes, outscoring opponents by 14.3 points per game in such scenarios. Teammate Sion James summarized the locker room sentiment: Cooper's grit elevates everyone - that's championship DNA.
Flagg's 11th ACC Rookie of the Week honor breaks Tyler Hansbrough's 2006 conference record, cementing his case for All-American honors. As Duke prepares for March Madness, sports medicine experts warn that 43% of players returning from ocular trauma experience temporary depth perception issues - a critical factor in their upcoming matchup against Virginia's top-ranked perimeter defense.
