Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils misplaced in a heartbreaker to Houston, lacking out on an opportunity to compete for the NCAA Nationwide Championship.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg won’t enter the NBA as a nationwide champion. The consensus first total choose missed a possible game-tying shot in opposition to Houston of their Last 4 sport.
The Blue Devils have been thought-about one of many favorites coming into March Insanity. They usually lived as much as these expectations, making all of it the best way to the Last 4.
Nevertheless, with a shot at competing for the NCAA Nationwide Championship on the road, Flagg and Duke weren’t capable of overcome the Houston Cougars.
It was nonetheless a superb event from Flagg. However his feedback from two months in the past have resurfaced, and it may drive huge adjustments to the 2025 NBA Draft.
Learn Extra: Cooper Flagg’s Duke teammate might be an ‘absolute star’ in NBA and is rather like Klay Thompson, claims Jonathan Givony
Again in February, Cooper Flagg spoke with The Athletic, who have been doing a profile for the prolific school star. Throughout his interview, he appeared to recommend wanting to remain longer.
The expertise of being in school is one thing Flagg needs to enjoy. On prime of that, his $4.3 million NIL offers assist make a second 12 months at Duke a tantalizing prospect.
“It’s going actually quick. Ever since freshman 12 months (of highschool), annually from then on has simply gone faster and faster.”
“This season, every part has been even sooner. It’s loopy should you cease to consider it… “S**t, I need to come again subsequent 12 months.”
“I nonetheless really feel like a child. That is the one means I’ve ever recognized school. That’s how I see it. I actually wouldn’t know the way children felt earlier than, and if this feels totally different, if this feels extra like being knowledgeable.”
“I imply, it’s the identical factor for teenagers in highschool, too, getting paid some huge cash. I don’t know. I really feel fairly regular.”
Learn Extra: NBA followers are terrified as De’Aaron Fox harm confirms Spurs tank for 2025 Draft, ‘If these dudes get Cooper Flagg…’
Whereas Cooper Flagg hasn’t outwardly dedicated to staying at Duke for an additional season, there’s a robust likelihood he’ll stick it out for an additional 12 months.
The sensational freshman simply had an excellent 12 months however wasn’t capable of win the NCAA championship. There’s little question that Flagg would have needed to copy Magic Johnson’s path to the NBA.
In 1979, Magic Johnson received a nationwide championship with Michigan State. Simply months later, the Los Angeles Lakers picked him first total within the NBA Draft.
If Flagg returns to Duke for an additional season, this might usher Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to the highest of the pack. Both a type of gamers, together with outdoors shout VJ Edgecomb, may go first total.
A number of NBA groups have tanked this season, presumably to get the most effective odds to land Cooper Flagg. They’ll really feel exhausting accomplished by if Flagg opts to play one other 12 months earlier than going professional.
