Cooper Flagg, a standout freshman at Duke University, is poised for a significant leap into professional basketball following a remarkably successful debut season. He formally declared his intention to participate in the June draft, with widespread anticipation suggesting he will likely be selected as the very first player chosen.
As shared via a video posted on his Instagram account, Flagg, now eighteen years old, expressed profound gratitude: “It was an incredible year, undoubtedly one of the best experiences of my life. I am deeply thankful for the opportunities afforded to me and feel incredibly fortunate.” He emphasized, “Today marks the beginning of what I hope will be a lifelong bond with ‘the brotherhood’.”
Flagg’s performance during his time at Duke was nothing short of exceptional. He dominated numerous statistical categories, leading the Blue Devils in points (709), rebounds (278), assists (155), steals (52), and blocks per game (1.4). His average scoring output reached 19.2 points per game, complemented by 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals – impressive numbers for a first-year player. A particularly memorable moment occurred in January when he achieved an ACC freshman record with a remarkable 42-point performance against Notre Dame.
“I am immensely proud of Cooper’s extraordinary season,” stated head coach Jon Scheyer in a team social media announcement. “His accomplishments – reflected in his statistics, highlight reels, and overall impact across all aspects of the game – represent an unparalleled freshman season for any player here.” Scheyer further highlighted Flagg’s influence on both offense and defense.
Flagg’s impressive campaign culminated with Duke reaching the NCAA men’s tournament semifinals, and he was ultimately recognized as the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Award winner – a distinction held by only a handful of freshman recipients.
The upcoming draft lottery will determine which team holds the coveted first overall selection. The Utah Jazz currently hold the NBA’s worst record, granting them a 14% probability of securing the top pick. “The Associated Press contributed to this report.”
