Flagg had a historic game against Notre Dame on Saturday.
Cooper Flagg’s name is now etched into Duke basketball history. The freshman phenom exploded for 42 points in Duke’s win over Notre Dame on Saturday, setting new ACC freshman scoring record. Flagg shot an incredible 11-of-14 from the field, 4-of-6 from three, and 16-of-17 from the free-throw line. On top of the points, he added seven assists and six rebounds as the Blue Devils hold off Notre Dame to secure a 86-78 win.
The 18-year-old is widely expected to go first overall in next year’s draft and his performance on Saturday has more or less confirmed his status as a top prospect.
It’s no surprise. He’s already leading Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes. He is the first freshman to record a 40/5/5 game since Trae Young in 2018.
He is also the first Duke player to score 40 or more points since JJ Redick in 2006. Redick, of course, is now coaching the Lakers, so it wouldn’t be shocking if LeBron James and Co. are keeping a close eye on Flagg’s every move.
The NBA Draft lottery will determine who gets the first overall pick, and right now, the Washington Wizards have the worst record in the league. If they land the top spot, they would be wise to draft the exciting talent.
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Flagg’s basketball journey began in Newport, Maine, where he attended Nokomis Regional High School. But it was at Montverde Academy in Florida, where his game truly exploded. His time at Montverde put him on the map, and by the end of his high school career, he was ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit for the 2024 class.
Since joining Duke, Flagg has been nothing short of spectacular. He leads the team in points (19.1 per game), rebounds (8.3 per game), assists (3.9 per game), steals, and blocks. His recent performance against Notre Dame saw him score a career-high 42 points, breaking both the Duke freshman scoring record and the ACC freshman single-game scoring record.
Flagg is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he is getting a tough competition from Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper who is also having a sensational season.
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