From Durham to the Draft: Cooper Flagg Bids an Emotional Farewell to Duke”
When Cooper Flagg committed to Duke, it sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. The No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2024 had his pick of blue bloods, but Flagg’s decision to suit up in Durham for Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils instantly reignited hopes of another national championship run.
Now, after a single breathtaking season, Flagg is saying goodbye.
The announcement that Flagg will forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2025 NBA Draft was not unexpected—but that didn’t make it any less emotional. For a fan base that embraced him as the program’s next great hope, and for teammates and coaches who watched his daily commitment to excellence, Flagg’s departure marks the end of a remarkable, if brief, era.
From the moment he arrived on campus, it was clear Flagg was no ordinary freshman. Hailing from Newport, Maine, and having refined his game at Montverde Academy, Flagg came to Duke carrying immense hype—and somehow exceeded it.
Standing 6-foot-9 with elite length, instincts, and athleticism, Flagg immediately slotted into the Blue Devils’ starting lineup. He delivered from day one, flashing his rare two-way impact as a scorer, rebounder, playmaker, and rim protector. His combination of intensity and poise stood out even among other five-star peers.
By the time conference play began, Flagg was the face of Duke basketball and a nightly highlight reel.
“Cooper made all of us better,” head coach Jon Scheyer said during Flagg’s farewell press conference. “He embraced the pressure, embraced the work, and gave us everything he had every single night.”
Flagg’s freshman campaign will go down as one of the most memorable in recent Duke history.
He averaged 18.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game—absurd numbers that reflect his all-around dominance. More than just stats, however, Flagg delivered in the biggest moments.
In Duke’s February showdown against archrival North Carolina, Flagg recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a thrilling overtime win that cemented his legend in Cameron Indoor Stadium. A month later, he put up 31 points in the ACC Tournament semifinal, including a go-ahead three in the closing seconds.
Even as NBA scouts flocked to Durham, Flagg remained locked in on the team’s goals.
“We talked about the draft a little,” teammate Tyrese Proctor said. “But Coop was never about that. He just wanted to win.”
Flagg led Duke to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where he elevated his game once more, averaging 21.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in four games. Though the Blue Devils fell in the Elite Eight to eventual champion Kansas, Flagg’s effort—26 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks—drew comparisons to legends like Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.
On Monday, Flagg officially declared for the NBA Draft via a heartfelt video posted to social media. Set against a backdrop of Cameron’s iconic rafters, Flagg addressed the Duke community:
“I came to Duke to grow—not just as a player, but as a person. I found a family here. To my coaches, my teammates, and especially the Cameron Crazies—thank you. I’ll always be a Blue Devil.”
The reaction was immediate and emotional. Teammates, coaches, fans, and even former Duke stars like Zion Williamson and Jayson Tatum offered their congratulations.
“Cooper’s got everything it takes to be a superstar in the league,” Tatum said. “But more than that, he’s a Duke guy through and through. He’ll always be part of the brotherhood.”
Jon Scheyer, too, couldn’t hide his pride.
“Cooper gave us a season we’ll never forget,” Scheyer said. “He leaves behind a legacy built not just on talent, but on character and leadership. That’s what we want our program to be.”
What made Flagg’s tenure at Duke so special wasn’t just his play—it was how he carried himself.
Known for his humility and relentless work ethic, Flagg quickly became a leader in the locker room. Teammates consistently praised his maturity, even as a freshman.
“He was the first in the gym and the last to leave,” said senior guard Jeremy Roach. “He held himself to the highest standard, and he held us to it too.”
Flagg also immersed himself in the Durham community. Whether attending local youth clinics or supporting other Duke sports, he embraced his role as a campus icon with grace.
During the holiday season, Flagg organized a gift drive for underprivileged children in Durham—an effort that raised over $40,000.
“He never wanted the spotlight for that stuff,” said Duke’s assistant athletic director for community outreach. “He just wanted to give back. That’s the kind of person he is.”
With his Duke chapter closed, Flagg now turns to the NBA, where he is widely projected as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft.
Scouts have marveled at his defensive versatility, basketball IQ, and fluidity. His ability to guard 1 through 5, shoot from deep, initiate offense, and protect the rim makes him a franchise cornerstone in waiting.
“Cooper Flagg has a ceiling that’s hard to define,” ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony said. “He’s got shades of Jayson Tatum, Scottie Pippen, and even LeBron in his all-around skill set. Whoever lands the No. 1 pick is getting a game-changer.”
Flagg has reportedly begun workouts with select NBA teams and is preparing for the Draft Combine. Sources close to his camp indicate that he’s focused on improving his strength and refining his outside shooting consistency ahead of the June draft.
While Duke loses a generational talent, the program remains strong. Jon Scheyer has landed a top-5 recruiting class headlined by five-star wings Koa Peat and VJ Edgecombe, and veteran guard Tyrese Proctor is expected to return.
Still, replacing Flagg’s unique contributions will be no small task.
“We’re going to have to evolve,” Scheyer admitted. “You don’t replace Cooper with one guy. You do it as a team.”
Flagg, for his part, has pledged to remain close to the program and hinted at returning for games and supporting Duke’s next wave of talent.
“This place means everything to me,” he said. “And I’ll always be part of the brotherhood.”
In many ways, Flagg’s Duke career embodies the bittersweet nature of the one-and-done era in college basketball. A player arrives with generational talent, delivers unforgettable moments, and departs before the ink on the season’s box scores has fully dried.
Yet Flagg’s farewell doesn’t feel like a goodbye—it feels like a thank you.
Thank you for the blocked shots that ignited the Cameron crowd. Thank you for the clutch buckets. Thank you for the way you spoke to reporters after tough losses. Thank you for being a Blue Devil in every sense of the word.
College basketball may only have had Cooper Flagg for one season, but the imprint he left—on the game, the university, and the fans—will last a lifetime.
- The UNC Classic: 25 points, 11 rebounds, and a game-saving block in overtime against North Carolina.
- ACC Tournament Semifinal Heroics: Clutch three-pointer and 31-point performance to push Duke into the title game.
- Elite Eight Effort: 26 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas in what turned out to be his final game as a Blue Devil.
- Thanksgiving Triple-Double: 22-11-10 stat line in the Phil Knight Invitational that cemented his national profile.
- Senior Day Speech: Addressed the Cameron crowd with a surprise emotional speech to honor outgoing teammates—earning a standing ovation.
