Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils lost in a heartbreaker to Houston, missing out on a chance to compete for the NCAA National Championship.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg will not enter the NBA as a national champion. The consensus first overall pick missed a potential game-tying shot against Houston in their Final Four game.
The Blue Devils were considered one of the favorites coming into March Madness. And they lived up to those expectations, making it all the way to the Final Four.
However, with a shot at competing for the NCAA National Championship on the line, Flagg and Duke weren’t able to overcome the Houston Cougars.
It was still an excellent tournament from Flagg. But his comments from two months ago have resurfaced, and it could force big changes to the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Back in February, Cooper Flagg spoke with The Athletic, who were doing a profile for the prolific college star. During his interview, he seemed to suggest wanting to stay longer.
The experience of being in college is something Flagg wants to revel in. On top of that, his $4.3 million NIL deals help make a second year at Duke a tantalizing prospect.
“It’s going really fast. Ever since freshman year (of high school), each year from then on has just gone quicker and quicker.”
“This season, everything has been even faster. It’s crazy if you stop to think about it… “S**t, I want to come back next year.”
“I still feel like a kid. This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional.”
“I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.”
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While Cooper Flagg hasn’t outwardly committed to staying at Duke for another season, there is a strong chance he will stick it out for another year.
The sensational freshman just had a brilliant year but wasn’t able to win the NCAA championship. There’s no doubt that Flagg would have wanted to replicate Magic Johnson’s path to the NBA.
In 1979, Magic Johnson won a national championship with Michigan State. Just months later, the Los Angeles Lakers picked him first overall in the NBA Draft.
If Flagg returns to Duke for another season, this could usher Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to the top of the pack. Either one of those players, along with outside shout VJ Edgecomb, could go first overall.
Several NBA teams have tanked this season, presumably to get the best odds to land Cooper Flagg. They will feel hard done by if Flagg opts to play another year before going pro.
