Jon Scheyer Is Very Clear About His Thoughts on Cooper Flagg Returning to Duke for the Upcoming Season

In the high-stakes world of college basketball, few players have generated as much excitement in recent memory as Cooper Flagg. A generational talent, Flagg’s freshman campaign at Duke lived up to—and in many ways exceeded—the massive expectations that accompanied his arrival in Durham. But with the season now concluded, the question on the minds of many fans has been simple: will Flagg return to Duke for his sophomore year?

According to head coach Jon Scheyer, the answer is just as simple—and it’s a firm no.

Cooper Flagg’s lone season at Duke will be remembered as one of the most impactful freshman campaigns in the school’s storied history. The 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, dazzled fans, overwhelmed opponents, and commanded the attention of scouts and media alike. By season’s end, he led the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, a statistical marvel that placed him in rare company.

Flagg averaged 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.1 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range. He was a two-way force, a leader in the locker room, and the catalyst for Duke’s 35-3 record and deep NCAA Tournament run that ended in the Final Four.

Fans, desperate for an encore, chanted “One more year!” during Flagg’s final home game. But even then, Flagg deflected questions about his future, preferring to focus on the moment and the team’s championship goals.

“I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with these guys,” Flagg said after the game. “Whatever happens, happens.”

Behind the scenes, however, it was becoming increasingly clear that Duke’s coaching staff had already made peace with the idea that their superstar freshman was NBA-bound.

If anyone was still holding out hope that Flagg might return for another year at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Jon Scheyer put those notions to rest.

In a candid interview on The Dan Patrick Show on March 31, Scheyer was asked directly whether he believed Flagg should return to college basketball.

Without hesitation, the Blue Devils’ head coach said:

“I think he’s got to take the next dream in his life, and be the top pick in the NBA Draft and start his professional career.”

Scheyer continued:

“You don’t get many players like him. What he’s done for our program, how hard he works, how he’s led—he’s ready. You just know it when you see it.”

It wasn’t just a coach giving a stock answer or playing coy with the media. Scheyer’s words carried conviction. He was praising Flagg not only for his immense talent but for the intangibles that make him a surefire NBA prospect.

Scheyer, who took over for Mike Krzyzewski in 2022 and has steadily built his own legacy, has dealt with his share of one-and-done stars. But in Flagg’s case, there seemed to be an understanding from the beginning: this was always going to be a one-year showcase.

Scheyer didn’t stop at simply endorsing Flagg’s decision to go pro. He went a step further, placing Flagg in elite company by comparing his leadership and influence to Duke legends like Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero.

“Zion had that magnetic energy. Paolo had that calm and poise. Cooper’s got both,” Scheyer said. “He’s got this inner drive that’s different. The way he competes every day—you can’t teach that. And guys follow him.”

Such praise is significant, especially coming from a coach who has seen firsthand the kind of pressure and performance that come with being the face of Duke basketball. In a program that’s produced dozens of NBA stars, Flagg stands out not only for his talent but for his demeanor.

“Cooper never made it about himself,” Scheyer added. “He bought into the team from day one. That’s what I’ll remember most.”

What makes Flagg’s rise even more fascinating is his background. He wasn’t groomed in a basketball factory. He grew up in a small town in Maine, where he first made national headlines with highlight reels that went viral due to his freakish athleticism and skill set. Flagg transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for his final high school season and quickly became the top-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class.

His commitment to Duke was a major recruiting victory for Scheyer, especially in the increasingly chaotic world of NIL deals and the transfer portal. Flagg’s decision to bypass potential professional alternatives like the G League Ignite or overseas leagues in favor of the college game resonated with traditionalists and made him a household name before he ever played a game for Duke.

It’s widely expected that Flagg will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Scouts have raved about his versatility, instincts, and maturity. He’s been compared to a hybrid of Kevin Durant and Scottie Pippen—a player with elite scoring ability, defensive versatility, and the passing acumen of a point guard.

One Western Conference executive, speaking anonymously, said, “If we get the No. 1 pick, we’re taking Flagg. It’s not even a question. He’s going to change a franchise.”

Scheyer is well aware of what Flagg represents to the professional ranks, and he’s not about to stand in the way of his player’s next step.

“It’s bittersweet,” Scheyer said. “You don’t replace a guy like Cooper. But that’s part of what we do here—we prepare guys for the next level, and we celebrate them when they get there.”

Despite Scheyer’s clarity, some Duke fans have held out hope that NIL money and unfinished business in the NCAA Tournament might sway Flagg to return.

Duke boosters reportedly put together a lucrative NIL package that would have made Flagg one of the highest-paid college athletes in the country. But insiders suggest that money was never the motivating factor for Flagg.

“He’s wired differently,” one assistant coach said. “This was never about cash. It was about competing, developing, and then chasing his NBA dream.”

Indeed, Flagg’s decision seems rooted in long-term vision. His representatives have already begun laying the groundwork for endorsement deals with major brands. The NBA, it seems, has been calling all along.

Flagg’s departure leaves a massive hole in Duke’s lineup. His presence alone altered how teams game-planned for the Blue Devils, and his ability to guard all five positions made him an anchor on both ends of the court.

But Scheyer and his staff have already started preparing for life after Flagg. Duke’s 2025 recruiting class includes several top-20 prospects, and the program is expected to be active in the transfer portal as well.

Still, replacing a player like Flagg is impossible in a one-to-one fashion.

“You don’t replace Cooper with another Cooper,” Scheyer said. “You change how you play, you adapt. And you build a new identity.”

While brief, Flagg’s tenure at Duke has already taken on a near-mythical quality. His buzzer-beater against North Carolina. His triple-double in the Sweet 16. The viral block he chased down from half-court. These moments won’t soon be forgotten.

“He gave us memories we’ll talk about for the next 50 years,” Scheyer said. “That’s what the great ones do. And that’s what Cooper is—great.”

Fans will likely look back at the 2024-25 season as a what-could-have-been scenario—so close to a national title, only to fall just short. But there’s no denying the joy Flagg brought to the program, and the attention he attracted.

For a new generation of Blue Devils fans, Flagg became their first hero. For Scheyer, he became the cornerstone of his still-young coaching legacy.

As the NBA Draft approaches, there’s a sense of closure between Flagg and the Duke community. Unlike past situations where players have waffled or delayed announcements, Flagg’s departure has been treated with mutual respect.

There was no drama, no lengthy Instagram post filled with cryptic emojis—just a handshake, a nod, and a shared understanding.

“We knew what this was,” Scheyer said. “We cherished every day of it.”

Jon Scheyer has never been one to mince words, and in the case of Cooper Flagg, his position is crystal clear: Duke’s generational freshman is ready for the NBA.

There’s no talk of unfinished business, no flirtation with a sophomore season. Only clarity and conviction.

That decisiveness mirrors Flagg’s style on the court—decisive, fearless, mature beyond his years. And just as Flagg elevated Duke during his brief tenure, Scheyer’s leadership throughout the process speaks volumes about the program’s stability in a new era of college basketball.

So while Duke fans may wish for “one more year,” Scheyer’s message is unwavering: Cooper Flagg has earned his shot. And now, it’s time for the world to see what comes next.