Duke’s Flagg tries to reduce in amidst high hopes

• David Hale, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 27, 2024, 01:20 PM ET Close College football reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012.
• Graduate of the University of Delaware.DURHAM, N.C.– Duke freshman Cooper Flagg may be the most

hyped player to hit the court at Cameron Indoor Arena because Zion Williamson, but the impression he has made amongst the Blue Devils through his very first few weeks on school, coach Jon Scheyer said, is that he’s simply among the guys.Flagg, the nation’s No. 1 overall hire, was lauded as a high school player for iconic minutes in all-star games and YouTube highlights, but as the Blue Devils get set to open the 2024-25 season on Oct. 19, Scheyer said Flagg has actually done his best to avoid the hype and embrace the competition. “I’ve seen a great deal of various seasons, different buzz, different expectations,”Scheyer said.”And with Cooper, I don’t understand if we’ve ever had a 17-year-old with this much buzz and attention. We talk about all the things we can manage, and that’s what we focus on. Cooper, I don’t believe he likes all the attention, to be truthful. He’s everything about just wanting to be like the other guys– wanting to win, wishing to complete. And he’s done an excellent job of setting the tone for all of that. “Flagg, speaking at Duke’s group media day Friday, said he has actually taken his share of selfies with fans and has actually taken pleasure in the experience of being on campus, especially given that classes have begun and he has had more time to connect with trainees outside the basketball team.”There’s constantly eyes all over. When I initially got here, a few of the trainees were kind

of going nuts,”Flagg stated. “However it’s a compliment that shows all the effort you have actually put in and people are wishing to see you and support you.” Editor’s Picks 1 Associated Heaven Devils have 6 true freshmen on this year’s roster, including Flagg, all of whom were ranked among the

40 finest prospects in the country. Among those freshmen, center Patrick Ngongba, will miss out on the start of the season with a foot injury, the school stated Friday. There is no timeline for Ngongba’s return.”He’s had foot injuries in his high school profession, and we’re still getting him back to 100 percent health,” Scheyer stated of Ngongba,

who remained in a walking boot Friday.”It’s not about anything that he’s done. It’s practically getting him to his complete one hundred percent performance on the court, where he can move totally pain-free and also where he can get back to being the level of player he can be. He’s gon na be a terrific player for us.” Flagg was initially a member of Duke’s 2025 recruiting class, however he reclassified to join the group for this season. He arrives with remarkable high school honors, consisting of being named the Gatorade National Gamer of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All American as a senior. He was USA Basketball’s Male Professional athlete of the Year in 2022, the youngest to ever win the award, and this offseason, he trained with the USA Basketball males’s nationwide group as it prepared for the Paris Olympics.Underscoring all that, Scheyer said, is an unrelenting competitiveness, which has set Flagg apart throughout his early days at Duke.”His competitiveness all the time, he does not switch on and off

how hard he works, “Scheyer said. “That stands apart. Every day he’s been here, he’s competed as difficult as he can. “Still, Scheyer stated he gained from training Williamson and other hyped Duke freshmen that the path to the NBA will not be without its obstacles, which’s what he has actually worked to prepare Flagg for as the season nears.”He’s 17. He’s going to go through some things,”Scheyer stated. “That belongs to it. However growing as a player is why he concerned Duke. I desire him to enjoy this year.” Flagg stated he has actually leaned on some of Duke’s veterans as he’s gotten his feet damp in Durham. “Not every day is going to be perfect, “Flagg said. “Not every day is going to be a great day for you. I

‘ll have bad days. My teammates have been through it, so leaning on them, asking them for techniques, it’s assisted me enter a rhythm.””There’s constantly eyes all over. When I initially got here, a few of the students were type of going crazy. But it’s a compliment that shows all the effort you have actually put in, and people are wishing to see you and support you.”

Cooper Flagg Those colleagues have actually come away pleased too.Purdue transfer Mason Gillis stated he recognized with Flagg’s hype and initially was wary, however he was surprised at how down-to-earth Flagg in fact was once they learnt more about each other.Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown stated

Flagg’s maturity works out beyond his age.

“His mindset and mindset is not that of a 17-year-old,”Brown stated.”The things that’s thrown at him, seeing his face on social networks and all over he goes, it’s extraordinary. The things he says, how he is on the court, you do not expect that from a 17-year-old. He definitely lives up

to the buzz.”