- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 399,546
- Reaction score
- 43
As Duke basketball makes its return to the men's Final Four on Saturday, the road is almost coming to an end for Cooper Flagg.
In four NCAA Tournament games this season, Flagg has shown what he's showcased the entire season: his skill set and basketball IQ exceed his age of 18 years old, and he's ready for the next level.
But before Flagg can reach that childhood dream, the Newport, Maine, native has some unfinished business.
Duke vs. Houston prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four
That unfinished business gets underway at 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, when Flagg and Duke take the floor against No. 1 seed Houston in the Final Four.
The Associated Press Player of the Year has been on a heater in the postseason, averaging 19.5 points per game, which includes a 30-piece against Arizona in the Sweet 16. He's one of two players in the history of the NCAA Tournament to average 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists going into the Final Four.
Here's what you need to know about Flagg's status for the NBA draft ahead of the Final Four:
Flagg is not expected to return to Duke for his sophomore season. Instead, Flagg is expected to declare for the NBA draft after the Blue Devils' season concludes.
Though Flagg is just 18 years old, he is eligible for the NBA draft because of the league's "one-and-one" rule.
Last week, Duke coach Jon Scheyer ended any speculation by saying Flagg is "about to move on with something incredibly special with the next step he's going to go after this."
He then reaffirmed that on an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" this week.
"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 said.
Here's a look at where some NBA draft experts and analysts have Flagg going:
Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win (as of April 4): No. 1 overall to the Utah Jazz
"Despite reclassifying up to forgo his senior year of high school, Flagg has had one of the most impactful campaigns we have ever seen from a collegiate freshman. As arguably the best NCAA men’s player this season, Flagg is a near-certain lock to hear his name called as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft."
USA TODAY (as of April 4): No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"The do-it-all young star leads the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Flagg has outstanding footwork, especially in the low post. He can use either hand on shots in the paint, knows how to run plays, can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and is an active weakside defender. Flagg, who has added more muscle since the start of the year, is a physical player who initiates contact, is confident and plays with force when necessary."
Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports: No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"All that tanking and a $100,000 fine would be more than worth it if Utah lands the first pick to select Flagg. The Duke freshman is a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. ... He’s showing why he’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class."
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report:No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"The preseason hype was extreme, and Flagg has only exceeded the lofty expectations, specifically with his handle, off-the-dribble shotmaking and 3-point shooting. ... There’s little left to say about Flagg’s versatility, rapidly-evolving skill level, competitiveness and ability to take games into his own hands."
Flagg enters Saturday's Final Four game averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field (37.4% 3-point shooting). He is also averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Flagg's stats in the NCAA Tournament:
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Is Cooper Flagg returning to Duke? Blue Devils star's NBA future
Continue reading...
In four NCAA Tournament games this season, Flagg has shown what he's showcased the entire season: his skill set and basketball IQ exceed his age of 18 years old, and he's ready for the next level.
But before Flagg can reach that childhood dream, the Newport, Maine, native has some unfinished business.
Duke vs. Houston prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four
That unfinished business gets underway at 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, when Flagg and Duke take the floor against No. 1 seed Houston in the Final Four.
The Associated Press Player of the Year has been on a heater in the postseason, averaging 19.5 points per game, which includes a 30-piece against Arizona in the Sweet 16. He's one of two players in the history of the NCAA Tournament to average 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists going into the Final Four.
Here's what you need to know about Flagg's status for the NBA draft ahead of the Final Four:
Is Cooper Flagg returning to Duke?
Flagg is not expected to return to Duke for his sophomore season. Instead, Flagg is expected to declare for the NBA draft after the Blue Devils' season concludes.
Though Flagg is just 18 years old, he is eligible for the NBA draft because of the league's "one-and-one" rule.
Last week, Duke coach Jon Scheyer ended any speculation by saying Flagg is "about to move on with something incredibly special with the next step he's going to go after this."
He then reaffirmed that on an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" this week.
"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 said.
Cooper Flagg NBA mock draft projections
Here's a look at where some NBA draft experts and analysts have Flagg going:
Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win (as of April 4): No. 1 overall to the Utah Jazz
"Despite reclassifying up to forgo his senior year of high school, Flagg has had one of the most impactful campaigns we have ever seen from a collegiate freshman. As arguably the best NCAA men’s player this season, Flagg is a near-certain lock to hear his name called as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft."
USA TODAY (as of April 4): No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"The do-it-all young star leads the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Flagg has outstanding footwork, especially in the low post. He can use either hand on shots in the paint, knows how to run plays, can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and is an active weakside defender. Flagg, who has added more muscle since the start of the year, is a physical player who initiates contact, is confident and plays with force when necessary."
Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports: No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"All that tanking and a $100,000 fine would be more than worth it if Utah lands the first pick to select Flagg. The Duke freshman is a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. ... He’s showing why he’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class."
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report:No. 1 overall to the Jazz
"The preseason hype was extreme, and Flagg has only exceeded the lofty expectations, specifically with his handle, off-the-dribble shotmaking and 3-point shooting. ... There’s little left to say about Flagg’s versatility, rapidly-evolving skill level, competitiveness and ability to take games into his own hands."
Cooper Flagg stats at Duke
Flagg enters Saturday's Final Four game averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field (37.4% 3-point shooting). He is also averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Flagg's stats in the NCAA Tournament:
- vs. Mount St. Mary's (NCAA Tournament — First Round): 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks
- vs. Baylor (NCAA Tournament — Second Round): 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting with nine rebounds, six assists and a block
- vs. Arizona (NCAA Tournament — Sweet 16): 30 points on 9-of-19 shooting with seven assists, six rebounds, three blocks and a steal
- vs. Alabama (NCAA Tournament — Elite Eight): 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting with nine rebounds, three assists and a block
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Is Cooper Flagg returning to Duke? Blue Devils star's NBA future
Continue reading...
