"I'm not happy about it": Jon Scheyer apprehensive following Cooper Flagg's trouble with cramps
Cooper Flagg is off to a decent start in his collegiate career with the Duke Blue Devils, helping them start 2-0 on the year. However, it did not come without a bump on the road, which drew concern from head coach Jon Scheyer. During the team's second contest against Army on Nov. 8, Flagg experienced cramps in the second half and was visibly uncomfortable.
Even though Flagg had a solid stat line, having 13 points to go with 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals, he only played five minutes of the second half. Cramps kept him out for the remainder of the game despite his efforts to return.
“We got a plan in place, we’re going to follow it. We’re going to figure it out, for sure,” Flagg said after the game.
His head coach, Jon Scheyer, expanded on the team's plan to protect him from injury and keep him in good condition moving forward:
“We got to help him. I’m not happy about it, for him. We’ve got to help him, and we will. And right after this, I can promise you I’m going to be meeting (with staff), I don’t care if it’s all night.
“We can’t have that happening – bottom line. I thought he had it going too. You know, that first half, he was just really controlling the whole game with his rebounding, his passing, his playmaking, his scoring, was assertive shooting the ball. So, that can’t happen. I’m not happy with it, we’re going to fix that.”
Cooper Flagg's high school stardom means high expectations at Duke
Cooper Flagg became a national sensation throughout high school, especially in his last year at Montverde Academy. He led the team to a perfect 34-0 record as they went on to win the national championship.
Regarded as the consensus top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2024 by renowned recruiting outlets, many teams pursued his services. Duke came out on top and they now look to him to lead them to glory.
Cooper Flagg is currently averaging 15.5 points, nine rebounds, four assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks after two games, showing basketball fans that he is as good as advertised.
He and the Blue Devils will look forward to their next matchup, facing No. 23 Kentucky at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Nov. 12 at 9 p.m. ET.