The Cooper Flag and the Duke Blue Devils misplaced in a Heartbreaker to Houston and missed their likelihood to compete within the NCAA Nationwide Championship.
Duke’s Cooper Flag is not going to enter the NBA because the nationwide champion. The general consensus first decide missed a possible shot from Recreation Tising towards Houston within the last 4 video games.
The Blue Devils had been thought-about one among their favourites coming into the insanity of March. They usually lived as much as these expectations and did all of it the way in which as much as the Last 4.
Nevertheless, Flag and Duke had been unable to beat the Houston Cougars within the photographs competing on the road for the NCAA Nationwide Championship.
It was nonetheless an amazing event from Flag. Nevertheless, his feedback two months in the past have resurfaced, probably forcing a significant change within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Learn extra: Cooper Flag’s Duke teammate turns into an “absolute star” within the NBA and claims to cherish Jonathan’s financial system, like Klay Thompson
In February, Cooper Flag spoke with Athletic, who was profiled as a prolific school star. Throughout the interview, he appeared to counsel that he wish to keep longer.
The expertise of attending college is one thing Flag enjoys. On prime of that, his $4.3 million nil deal makes him a captivating prospect for his second 12 months at Duke.
“It is going actually quick. Since my freshman 12 months (in highschool) and yearly since then, it has been quicker and quicker.”
“It is all quicker this season. When you cease enthusiastic about it, it is loopy… “S**T, I wish to return subsequent 12 months.”
“I nonetheless really feel like a toddler. That is the one manner I do know school. That is how I see it. How youngsters have felt earlier than and if this feels completely different, if this feels extra skilled.”
“I imply, that is the identical for highschool youngsters. They’re paying some huge cash. I do not know. I really feel fairly regular.”
Learn extra: NBA followers are horrifying as De’aaron Fox harm checks Spurs Tank within the 2025 draft.
Cooper Flag hasn’t been exterior dedication to staying at Duke for one more season, however it might probably make him stick out for one more 12 months.
The sensational freshman had an unimaginable 12 months, however he could not win the NCAA Championship. There isn’t any doubt Flag needed to recreate the magical Johnson path to the NBA.
In 1979, Magic Johnson gained the nationwide championship at Michigan. Just some months later, the Los Angeles Lakers chosen him first general within the NBA Draft.
If Flag returns to Duke for one more season, this might lead Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to the highest of the pack. Any of these gamers can proceed in the entire first together with an exterior Shout VJ Edgecomb.
Maybe a number of NBA groups are taking part in this season to get the perfect odds to land the Cooper Flag. If Flag chooses to play one other 12 months earlier than going to Professional, they are going to really feel like they’re carried out exhausting.
