With the 2025 NBA draft simply a few months away, Cooper Flagg has already confirmed that he desires to return for one more season with Duke subsequent yr. In an interview with The Athletic final month, he mentioned, “S—t, I wish to come again subsequent yr.”
Flagg added: “I nonetheless really feel like a child. That is the one approach I’ve ever recognized school. That’s how I see it. I actually wouldn’t understand how youngsters felt earlier than, and if this feels totally different, if this feels extra like being knowledgeable. I imply, it’s the identical factor for youths in highschool, too, getting paid some huge cash. And I don’t know, I really feel fairly regular.”
Following that dialog, Bovada sportsbook up to date its odds, exhibiting that Flagg is extra more likely to return to Duke than play for the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, or Utah Jazz subsequent season.
The place Will Cooper Flagg Play Subsequent Season?
Crew | Odds |
Duke Blue Devils | +290 |
Charlotte Hornets | +550 |
Washington Wizards | +550 |
Utah Jazz | +550 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +650 |
Brooklyn Nets | +800 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +1000 |
Toronto Raptors | +1100 |
Chicago Bulls | +1400 |
Extra importantly, Flagg’s ultimate determination might relaxation on the place Duke finishes on this yr’s NCAA Match. The No. 1-ranked Blue Devils are 28-3 via the common season largely as a result of Flagg’s distinctive play.
Duke is getting into the Atlantic Coast Convention (ACC) Match on an eight-game win streak. The Blue Devils’ final loss was a 77-71 defeat at Clemson on Feb. 8.
Cooper Flagg Named The Related Press Participant Of The 12 months, Newcomer Of The 12 months For The Atlantic Coast Convention
On Tuesday, Flagg was named The Related Press participant of the yr and newcomer of the yr for the Atlantic Coast Convention, whereas Louisville’s Pat Kelsey received coach of the yr.
The 6-foot-9 Flagg was reportedly the unanimous selection for participant of the yr. The AP introduced its particular person awards and All-ACC honors for the 2024-25 season after voting by media members overlaying the league.
In response to School Basketball Reference, he’s averaging 19.4 factors, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per recreation with 49-38-83 splits. The 18-year-old additionally led the ACC in participant effectivity score (30.8), field plus/minus (16.9), and defensive score (87.3).
Flagg, who made NCAA historical past by turning into the primary ACC participant within the final 25 years to succeed in 500 factors, 100 rebounds, and 30 assists in a single season, additionally has an NIL deal that’s valued at $4.8 million, per On3.
Flagg Would Be The No. 1 General Decide In The 2025 NBA Draft
If Flagg decides to enter the 2025 NBA draft, he’ll be the projected No. 1 general decide in a freshman-heavy first spherical. He’s arguably the very best prospect since Zion Williamson in 2019.
“He’s actually, actually good. What I really like about him probably the most is he’s a crew man,” an unnamed NBA common supervisor advised Fox Sports activities final month. “He epitomizes the thought of a profitable participant and does what his crew wants that recreation.
“Cooper is any individual that you’d like to play with, and he performs laborious persistently each possession. The sky’s the restrict for him and he’s the explanation why Duke is my favourite to win all of it.”
A number of NBA mock drafts have Dylan Harper (Rutgers) going second general, adopted by Ace Bailey (Rutgers), Tre Johnson (Texas), Derik Queen (Maryland), and VJ Edgecombe (Baylor).