"Piston" "This team so deep on both sides" — College hoops world hyped up for Cooper Flagg's debut season with Duke basketball
Cooper Flagg is generating significant excitement as he steps into his college basketball career at Duke University. Despite reclassifying and being one of the youngest players in college basketball this season, the 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward is entering as the nation's top-ranked high school prospect.
At just 17 years old, Flagg has already showcased his talent by leading Montverde Academy to a national title and participating in every postseason High School All-American game this past spring.
Flagg's recent arrival at Duke for summer workouts — where a brief 36-second video highlighted his ball-handling, shooting, and dunking skills — has only fueled the anticipation.
Fans are ecstatic with the Newport, Maine, native so far:
"Man, Cooper Flagg is looking solid already. Can't wait to see how he performs this season," a fan quipped
"Piston," one said.
"This team so deep on both sides," another fan stated.
Here is how other fans are expressing their excitement on social media:
"Definitely is gonna live up to the hype," a fan remarked.
"This year is about to be a movie!! Let’s get it!!!" a fan remarked.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer is particularly thrilled to have Flagg on his roster, highlighting his unwavering effort and competitive nature as key attributes.
“Watching him play has been a joy. Whether it’s an early Sunday morning game or a national championship on ESPN, he always gives 100 percent effort,” Scheyer told 247 sports.
With Duke holding 12-1 odds (+1200) to win the national championship, trailing behind UConn, Kansas and Alabama at 10-1 (+1000) on DraftKings Sportsbook, the expectations are high. Flagg’s presence is a significant boost for Duke’s chances in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
Cooper Flagg: From small-town prodigy to Duke sensation
Cooper Flagg, a 17-year-old phenom from rural Newport, Maine — closer to Canada than Boston, 200 miles to the south — has shown exceptional ambition in his basketball journey.
After winning a state championship as a freshman, he transferred to Montverde Academy. Before leading Montverde to a perfect 33-0 record and a national championship, the 6-foot-9 forward reclassified to graduate in three years.
Flagg’s first scholarship offer came from Bryant University in Rhode Island while he was returning from an eighth-grade AAU tournament in Massachusetts.
The forward is known for his high-flying dunks and chase-down blocks. He directs plays, sprints in transition, makes extra passes and defends all positions. His on-court awareness and unselfish play excites coaches and scouts. In his final season at Montverde, he averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.6 steals.
“I’ve faced every defense you can name,” Flagg told the Washington Post. “I enjoy when teams double-team me because I’ll find the open man. I don’t force plays; I aim to make the right one. Playing hard covers many mistakes.”
Flagg's versatility and fundamentals have drawn comparisons to NBA MVPs such as Anthony Davis, making him a formidable force as he starts his college career at Duke. As a consensus five-star recruit and top player in the 2024 class, he boasts impressive shooting splits of 55% from the field, 35% from 3-point range and 78% from the free-throw line.