The dance is finally over for Cooper Flagg, with Duke eliminated from the NCAA tournament.
In a stunning and painful fashion, the 18-year-old sensation crumbled under the bright lights of collegiate hoops as he and Duke endured a brutal 70-67 loss against Houston in the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four.
Leading by as much 14 for the right to enter the title stage, Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils slowly witnessed their dream of a championship fade away in the final eight minutes as the Cougars commenced a furious rally.
Powered by L.J. Cryer’s 26 markers, Houston stamped their ticket to the final round in which they will face Florida. Flagg’s game-high 27 markers and late-game heroic attempts weren’t enough to lift Duke out of their meltdown.
As his dream season with Duke reaches the end, many await Flagg’s upcoming entry to the NBA Draft board in which he had a compelling moment recently around his potential NBA team.
Heading to the Final Four round, Flagg had a special opportunity to temporarily witness the first-class organization treatment from the San Antonio Spurs.
As San Antonio serves as the site of this year’s Final Four, the Spurs were generous enough to provide Flagg and Duke the preparation they need for the high-stakes game, allowing them to use their Victory Capital Performance Center practice facility.
Beyond savoring a top-notch basketball clinic for themselves, Flagg and the Blue Devils also received a solid reception from San Antonio, while having a glimpse of the city’s rich culture and hospitality. Flagg was also approached by Spurs legend David Robinson who paid a visit in one of their practice sessions.
Ahead of their weekend bout against Houston, Flagg expressed interesting words about the experience he had in being around the Spurs’ training facility and San Antonio’s warm welcome prior to their Final Four match.
“It’s beautiful,” Flagg said in his Final Four press conference. “It’s a beautiful place.
“I’ve enjoyed the weather and everything. Just being here, it’s a beautiful city. The Spurs facility, obviously it’s very new, very modern.
“It’s a beautiful facility, amazing, top of the notch facilities and what they have over there.
“So it was a great, great place.”
Spurs fans are certainly wishing that the stars will align for Flagg to land in San Antonio and form a major one-two punch combination with Victor Wembanyama which will conquer the entire NBA for years to come.
With his incredible combination of size, talent, and potential, Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick of this year’s NBA Draft. The Spurs organization couldn’t ask nothing but to have another generational luck once again by being able to have the young phenom at their side.
Following Wembanyama’s blood clot diagnosis and De’Aaron Fox’s season-ending hand surgery, the Spurs have taken a step back from attempting to contend. With a 32-45 card, they are currently placed at the 13th spot of the Western Conference ladder.
Via Tankathon, they have the eighth best odds to win the lottery and get the top overall selection (6.0%).
They can only pray to replicate the fortune that the Atlanta Hawks have had from last year in which they gained the No. 1 overall pick despite a lowly 3% chance, ultimately using it to choose French prospect Zaccharie Risacher.
As the NBA draft lottery is set for May 12 in Chicago, the Spurs have their fingers crossed that they will find their way to capture the Flagg.
