"We need him that way": Jon Scheyer credits Cooper Flagg’s "competitive spirit" for boosting Duke’s offensive edge
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has credited Cooper Flagg for the competitive spirit he brings to the Blue Devil's offense. Scheyer spoke to the media after his team's 68-47 victory over George Mason on Tuesday night, and he had great things to say about Flagg.
"I loved Cooper’s aggressiveness. I thought Cooper was really aggressive, putting pressure on the defense," Scheyer said, adding, "I think for many young guys, you get caught up in percentages and numbers sometimes... I think that comes with his competitive spirit and being in attack mode. We need him that way. We have to help him be that way all the time."
According to Scheyer, Flagg’s aggression on the court makes the Blue Devils a more dangerous team.
Cooper Flagg is growing in role at Duke
Flagg, who's the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showed off his offensive aggression against George Mason by scoring 17 of his game-high 24 points in the second half alone. That's more than any Duke player has managed in a single half this season.
Despite missing 13 of his 20 shots from the field, his aggression created critical opportunities elsewhere. Flagg converted all eight of his free-throw attempts, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out four assists.
After the game, Flagg spoke only about the areas he could improve.
"I think I missed a lot of easy layups, bunnies, that I usually make," he said, adding, "It’s just going to happen from time to time, so I’ve just got to keep fighting through it and keep getting better."
Flagg’s determination to improve is evident in his recent stretch of performances. Over the past four games, he has reached the 20-point mark three times, recorded multiple assists in three contests, and grabbed double-digit rebounds twice. He has also reduced his turnovers.
"It changes the whole dynamic of our team when he’s [Cooper Flagg] looking to attack whenever he gets it," Scheyer said, adding, "The beauty with him, some nights it’s gonna be taking 20 shots, and that’s great. Other nights it’s gonna be getting 10 assists, which is gonna happen. I think he’s due for a triple-double. I think he’s due for a 30-plus point game."
Flagg’s competitiveness and versatility make him a key player for Duke. His drive to stay aggressive fits well with Scheyer’s plan for the team, helping the Blue Devils stay strong as they face the season's challenges.