“Grant Hill Declares Cooper Flagg the Future of Duke and the NBA — ‘The Torch Is Passed’ in Fiery Endorsement at American Century Championship”
When a legend speaks, the basketball world listens—and when that legend is Grant Hill, one of Duke’s most iconic figures and a respected NBA Hall of Famer, the weight of his words carries across generations. At the 2025 American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, amidst a sea of celebrities and athletes enjoying the blend of golf and showmanship, Hill used his spotlight for something far more resonant than a long drive or a clutch putt. He crowned the next face of Duke basketball and potentially the next great ambassador of the NBA: Cooper Flagg. In a fiery endorsement that rippled across the sports world like a thunderclap, Hill declared, “The torch is passed,” officially ushering in a new era that now belongs to the most talked-about freshman phenom in years.
Cooper Flagg’s reputation has grown with a speed rarely seen, and Hill’s blessing only intensifies the spotlight. There’s a sacredness to Duke lore, a tradition of excellence, and a reverence for those who rise within its blue-blood ranks. For Hill—a man whose Duke legacy includes national championships, legendary battles, and a collegiate career that helped shape college basketball in the ’90s—to publicly proclaim Flagg as the next in line is no small gesture. It’s a baton handoff, a moment of generational shift that reverberates across college basketball, NBA scouts’ war rooms, and the hearts of Blue Devil fans worldwide.
Hill didn’t speak as a bystander. He spoke as someone who’s been there—who wore the Duke jersey under the hottest lights, who carried the weight of expectation, and who turned that pressure into greatness. His declaration wasn’t just about talent. It was about leadership, maturity, work ethic, and the intangible ability to raise the level of everyone around you. “He’s not just skilled,” Hill said, “he’s special. There’s a difference. And the way he carries himself—you can see he’s ready. Duke is in good hands, and the NBA better get ready, because Cooper’s not waiting for permission.”
Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Maine who’s already being talked about as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has captivated the basketball world with his blend of size, skill, and sheer competitive fire. He plays with a chip, a purpose, and a presence that belies his age. His arrival in Durham this summer has turned Duke’s practices into must-watch events for insiders, and his impact is already felt on and off the court. Teammates describe him as relentless. Coaches describe him as uncoachable in the best way—someone who demands the best from himself and accepts nothing less from those around him. For Hill, it’s that DNA that separates stars from superstars.
The moment itself at the American Century Championship was subtle but seismic. Hill, holding court with reporters and fans, was asked about the current state of Duke basketball and what he thinks of the new blood entering the program. His eyes lit up at the mention of Flagg. Without hesitation, without fluff, Hill leaned forward and said, “He’s next. Cooper Flagg is the guy. The torch is passed.” He didn’t need to elaborate further, but he did—drawing parallels to past greats, praising Flagg’s humility and hunger, and pointing to his ability to play both ends of the floor with ferocity and finesse. “He’s already got a pro mindset,” Hill added. “And he hasn’t even played a college game yet.”
It was a public coronation, a moment of symbolic transition that few programs ever get to experience so cleanly. From Christian Laettner to Grant Hill, from Jay Williams to Zion Williamson, Duke’s history is filled with players who didn’t just dominate the college scene—they transcended it. Flagg, in many eyes, is positioned to do the same. But hearing it from Hill, with such conviction, makes it feel not just possible but inevitable.
Flagg, for his part, responded with grace and humility. When informed of Hill’s comments, he smiled and offered praise in return. “To hear that from someone like Grant Hill? That’s unreal,” Flagg said. “He’s someone I’ve looked up to. What he did at Duke and in the league—that’s the blueprint. I’ve got a long way to go, but it means a lot. I just want to work, compete, and win. That’s what I’m here for.” That attitude, perhaps more than anything, is why he’s earning respect from legends and current pros alike.
Inside the Duke program, the excitement around Flagg’s presence is reaching a fever pitch. Practices are intense. The competition for starting spots is fierce. But Flagg’s consistency and intensity are making him impossible to ignore. Veteran players who once assumed guaranteed minutes are now facing the hard reality that this freshman is not just ready—he’s taking over. And not with arrogance, but with undeniable impact. Jon Scheyer, Duke’s head coach and former point guard, has made it clear that Flagg is different. “He’s not a freshman in any traditional sense,” Scheyer said during summer workouts. “He’s a leader already. He elevates the standard. And he’s all about the team. That’s what makes him so valuable.”
The whispers around Flagg’s NBA future are becoming louder by the day. Scouts are already flocking to Durham, and some have privately compared his upside to players like Kevin Durant and Luka Dončić—a lofty comparison, no doubt, but one rooted in his unique ability to control a game in multiple ways. He can score inside and out. He sees the floor like a point guard. He defends with anticipation and explosiveness. And he competes like someone who’s been doubted, even when praised. That internal fire, Hill noted, is what sets the all-time greats apart. “Talent gets you attention,” Hill said, “but toughness, IQ, and leadership—that’s what makes you a star. Cooper’s got all of it.”
The NBA has long used college basketball as its proving ground, and the players who command attention before their first tip-off are rare. Flagg is now officially in that class. But he’s also now carrying something else—the expectations that come with Grant Hill’s blessing. That’s not a burden everyone can handle, but those who can often go on to define generations.
There’s something poetic about Hill passing the torch at Lake Tahoe, a place of serenity and reflection, while the chaos of college basketball looms just weeks away. In a setting designed for relaxation and competition of a different kind, Hill’s words cut through with clarity. He wasn’t performing. He was proclaiming. And in doing so, he ensured that Flagg’s name will carry even more weight as the 2025–26 college basketball season approaches.
Blue Devil fans have heard the hype before, but this is different. This is grounded in results, in work ethic, in dominance at the high school and AAU levels, and now in early glimpses at Duke’s summer workouts. But more than that, it’s about legacy. It’s about who gets to wear that crown and carry the flame forward. In Duke’s basketball cathedral, that kind of recognition doesn’t come lightly. It’s earned through grit, sacrifice, leadership, and unrelenting desire to be the best—not just at scoring, but at setting the tone for an entire program.
Flagg seems built for this. Built for the noise. Built for the pressure. Built for the stage. With Hill’s endorsement, the spotlight only gets brighter, but Flagg welcomes it. He embraces it. And that might be his greatest trait of all. In an era where fame often precedes impact, Flagg is letting his game do the talking—and now, one of Duke’s all-time greats is doing the echoing for him.
There will be moments of adversity. No college season is flawless. But with Hill’s vote of confidence and the fire that already burns inside Flagg, it’s clear he’s not afraid of the climb. He’s chasing something bigger. And that’s what Hill saw—that’s why he spoke. Because when the torch is passed at Duke, it means something. It means the next era has begun. And now, that era belongs to Cooper Flagg.
