Cooper Flagg Names Tatum and Zion Among Top‑Five Blue Devils: A Freshman’s Perspective on Duke Greatness
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s standout freshman phenom, recently assembled his all‑time Duke starting five—placing Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson among them—and explained emphatically why they earned a spot. His list also included Kyrie Irving, JJ Redick, and Christian Laettner, delivering insight into the criteria of greatness, blending star power, impact, and legacy. This personal ballot offers a revealing window into how Flagg views the history of the program he now embodies.
Cooper Flagg, an 18‑year‑old from Newport, Maine, arrived at Duke in 2024 as the nation’s top high school prospect. His freshman campaign shattered expectations and firmly entrenched him at the top of the program’s storied narrative. Named the National College Player of the Year by through the Associated Press, NABC, and every major voting body, Flagg ended the regular season averaging roughly 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His historic 42‑point performance versus Notre Dame set new Duke and ACC freshman scoring records, underlining his rare versatility and dominance. With 19.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.8 BPG in the NCAA Tournament, he cemented his legacy as arguably the most complete freshman Duke has ever seen.
Of these five iconic names, Flagg specifically referenced Tatum and Williamson. Here’s how he explained their places on the list:Flagg singled out highlight plays from both talents—Tatum’s powerful dunk against North Carolina and Williamson’s 360‑degree breakaway jam—as emblematic of their dominance.
They are the defining high‑impact performers Duke has produced, the moments that transcended single games and became part of program lore.
Both Tatum and Williamson reaped national accolades and left Duke as dominant freshmen. Tatum, the No. 3 pick in 2017 and future NBA champion, is known for high‑volume scoring and strong two‑way play. Williamson was the nation’s top college player in 2019, whose physicality and highlight‑reel talent captured imaginations and earned him the No. 1 pick. Flagg values this holistic achievement.
Flagg, who grew up idolizing Duke Blue Devils, explained that playing alongside Zion would have been surreal—“the energy was crazy,” he said. Both players changed the atmosphere of Cameron Indoor Stadium and gave Duke a cultural boost, elements Flagg cherishes when defining greatness.
Flagg’s own freshman achievements elevate the credibility of his perspective. He joined the tight elite of Duke freshmen who won major awards—placing him alongside Zion, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant. Duke coach Jon Scheyer likened Flagg’s dunk against Pittsburgh to plays by Tatum and Zion, framing him as a current embodiment of their style. Notably, former coach Mike Krzyzewski even labeled Flagg “the best freshman that has ever played” at Duke, over those legendary names .
Flagg’s comparative analysis extends beyond mere raw honesty—it’s rooted in statistical dominance. Compared to Tatum’s freshman year, Flagg posted more assists, blocks, steals, and higher shooting efficiency . Analysts cite his combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive acumen as unprecedented among Duke freshmen.
Flagg’s respect for them is both personal and empirical. Scheyer repeatedly draws parallels to their leadership styles and court presence. Analysts liken Flagg’s hunger and multidimensional game to theirs, envisioning a smooth college‑to‑NBA transition in their mold.
This isn’t just fan service—it’s a message. Flagg sees himself aligning with this lineage. By naming Tatum and Williamson among his top five, he’s signaling both humility and high ambition: humbly paying tribute to icons, yet confidently putting himself in their historical conversation.
Flagg has already drawn comparisons to them on and off the court—his freshman record, his awards haul, his national player of the year honors, his Gatorade deal, and vocal comparisons from media and analysts. But more than that, coach and critic endorsements echo the same narrative. Krzyzewski’s naming him best freshman, Scheyer’s spotlight on his dunk as “Zion‑esque,” and ESPN’s labeling him a hybrid of Tatum, Pippen, Kawhi , all point toward a reality: Flagg is positioning himself as the next defining Duke player.
As Duke prepares for a Final Four run with Flagg as its nucleus, the buzz around his eventual NBA entrance is intensifying. He’s projected—nearly guaranteed—to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, potentially to a team like the Dallas Mavericks . His pre‑draft comparisons map directly to the futures of Tatum, Zion, and others. And it’s not inconceivable to imagine Flagg’s own freshman campaign one day vaulted into Duke futures as a starting five list, with a younger player citing him alongside legends.
Flagg’s freshman season didn’t just earn him awards—it earned him a place in Duke lore, a seat at the table among the names he reveres. If his trajectory continues, his own name might someday appear on a lineup selected by a future Duke star, someone just as inspired by what Cooper Flagg delivered in 2024‑25.
In naming Tatum and Zion, he’s not just building a list—he’s threading himself into the fabric of Duke’s elite history, boldly, humbly, and with clear intention.
