It was a painful final buzzer for Cooper Flagg’s final game with the Duke Blue Devils.
The 18-year-old forward played his usual game against the Houston Cougars, but his 27 points failed to stop an incredible Houston comeback. Some critics even called him out on missing important late-game shots that could have allowed Duke to make the natty.
However, it’s hard to blame him when he put up an incredible show for his (likely) final collegiate game. Flagg added to his 27-point outing with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks. He would have been the toast at the Alamodome if he finished the job and got the W.
Now that the best eighteen-year-old of the 2025 draft has finished his first full season of college ball, he looks back at the journey as he looks forward to the next step of his basketball journey.
Cooper Flagg reflects on time with the Duke Blue Devils after their heartbreaking Final Four loss
Now that Flagg’s first full season is sealed shut, the Newport, ME native took the time to look back at his experience in Durham, NC.
Per Larry Brown Sports’ Renzo Salao:
“It was an incredible season,” Flagg told reporters during Duke’s postgame press conference. “Incredible people. Incredible relationships that I’m going to have for the rest of my life. Didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but still an incredible year.”
Sections of Duke fans will be hopeful that his massive NIL deals will convince the Vegas favorite to land first in the 2025 Draft to run it back one more year, but the finality of his statements makes it seem like he’s mentally ready to make the jump to the pros.
It’s easy to understand the sentiment when you look at his incredible freshman year for the Blue Devils. Flagg had a terrific all-around game through 2024-25, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks through 38 games.
Unless the prospect of playing for the Jazz or any other team in the lottery isn’t appealing to him, Flagg will not be on the draft board beyond the second pick.
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