Duke basketball fans were left stunned today as five-star recruit Cooper Flagg made a shocking announcement regarding his future. Despite expectations that he would return for his sophomore season alongside the highly anticipated Boozer brothers, Flagg has opted to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg, a 6’8″ forward from Maine, has been one of the most talked-about prospects in college basketball, drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats with his versatile skills and defensive prowess. His decision to leave Duke after just one season leaves a massive void for the Blue Devils, who were hoping for another year of Flagg’s elite talent as they look to build on an already strong 2025 recruiting class.
Sources close to the program have confirmed that Flagg’s decision came after extensive discussions with NBA scouts and coaches, who have projected him as a potential lottery pick in this year’s draft. The departure could have major implications for Duke’s recruiting efforts, as the program was looking forward to pairing Flagg with the Boozer twins for an explosive season in 2025.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, known for his ability to recruit and develop elite talent, now faces the challenge of replacing Flagg’s scoring, rebounding, and defensive impact on both ends of the floor. The news has sent shockwaves through the Blue Devils’ fanbase, many of whom were eagerly anticipating the chance to watch Flagg grow and potentially lead the team to a national championship.
As of now, Flagg has yet to announce the official timeline for his departure, but his decision marks a monumental shift in the future of Duke basketball and adds another layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated 2025 season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this impacts the program’s plans moving forward.