- 18-year-old becomes fourth freshman to win AP Player of the Year
- Averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists at Duke
- Set ACC freshman scoring record with 42-point game vs Notre Dame
- Third Blue Devil to declare for draft in past week
Duke basketball's Cooper Flagg has officially entered the NBA Draft following a groundbreaking freshman season that rewrote record books. The 6'9forward from Newport, Maine dominated college basketball, becoming the first freshman since Zion Williamson to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. Industry analysts project Flagg as the consensus top pick due to his rare combination of defensive instincts and offensive versatility.
Flagg's decision comes after carrying Duke to the Final Four, where he nearly engineered an upset of Houston despite late-game heroics falling short. His 27-point semifinal performance capped a campaign where he shattered the ACC freshman scoring record with a 42-point outburst against Notre Dame - a game that showcased his ability to score at all three levels.
What makes Flagg exceptional, according to scouts, is his Maine basketball roots. The Pine Tree State has produced only two other NBA players since 2000, making Flagg's development without access to elite AAU circuits particularly noteworthy. His high school coach implemented NBA-style motion offenses, giving Flagg early exposure to pro concepts rarely seen at the prep level.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer emphasized Flagg's team-first mentality during exit interviews: The stats only tell half the story. Cooper transformed our locker room culture with his competitive fire and willingness to defend the opponent's best player every night.This two-way commitment positions Flagg favorably in an NBA increasingly valuing switchable defenders who can guard multiple positions.
With the draft combine approaching, Flagg's measurements and athletic testing will be scrutinized. At 205 pounds, some teams question his readiness for NBA physicality, though his 7'1wingspan suggests untapped defensive potential. Player development experts note modern training programs can add 15-20 pounds of functional muscle in a rookie season without sacrificing agility.
The forward joins recent Duke draftees Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. in a growing trend of one-and-done players leveraging college basketball's biggest stage. Since 2015, Blue Devils have accounted for 12% of all lottery picks despite representing just 0.3% of Division I programs - a stat underscoring Duke's unique position in NBA talent pipelines.
Flagg's departure creates immediate challenges for Duke's 2025 title hopes, though insiders suggest Scheyer is already targeting international prospects to fill the void. Meanwhile, NBA executives are debating whether Flagg's ceiling compares better to Andrei Kirilenko's all-around game or Jayson Tatum's scoring prowess. One Western Conference GM told reporters: He's the most complete 18-year-old defender I've evaluated since Kawhi Leonard.