3 reasons why Cooper Flagg's debut season at Duke will be a big success
College basketball's top 2024 recruit Cooper Flagg will be playing for the Duke Blue Devils this upcoming season. The Montverde Academy SF is one of the most impressive prospects in recent years and will be joining Jon Scheyer's squad for his freshman season.
Duke made it as far as the Elite Eight during last season's NCAA Tournament. He will be looking to build off of that success during the 2024–25 season.
Flagg is a massive signing for Duke, and here are three reasons why his first season with the program will be a success.
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3 reasons Cooper Flagg's debut season at Duke will be a big success
#1. Surrounding talent
The Blue Devils will be losing a number of top contributors from last year's squad, including Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Jeremy Roach and Mark Mitchell. However, they are expected to get Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster back and also bring in transfers Mason Gillis, Maliq Brown and Sion James.
Alongside Flagg, the Blue Devils will also have five-star recruits, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel joining the team this season. This will give Duke great depth with a blend of experience and extremely talented youth.
#2. Fits well within the Duke system
Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils are no strangers when it comes to maximizing the potential of young players with a dynamic skillset. Scheyer has worked with top players in recent years, including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Marvin Bagley and Paolo Banchero.
Flagg already fits well into the Duke system, and it will only help him to have a head coach who will allow him the freedom to play the way he wants. He is a dynamic forward who can play extremely well on both sides of the floor. Scheyer setting him free on the floor will only enhance his playmaking ability.
#3. Already familiar playing against top talent
While playing for Montverde Academy in Maine, Flagg has already participated in prestigious events for top young players in the world. He has played in the Nike EYBL, McDonald's All-American Boys Game, Jordan Brand Classic and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
He dominated at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam event when he averaged 25.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.9 blocks and 5.7 assists against some of the nation's top youth competition. He also won gold at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup as a member of the USA National Team, where he averaged 9.3 points and 10 rebounds.
As Cooper Flagg enters his first year of college basketball, he already has experience of playing against some of the top talent from around the world.
He should be well prepared for the playstyle and pace of his college competition, which will be a massive advantage for a freshman in the national spotlight.
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How do you think Cooper Flagg's freshman season at Duke will go? Let us know your prediction in the comment section.
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