Duke’s Flagg validates he’s entering NBA draft

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• =”40″/ > Jeff BorzelloApr 21, 2025, 11:23 AM ET Close Basketball recruiting expert.
• Signed up with ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg,

the Wood Award winner and forecasted No. 1 choice, is formally getting in the NBA draft, he revealed Monday.Flagg launched a video on social media.”Duke fans, my teammates, the brotherhood,

everyone that was along for the journey. It was an amazing year, most likely the best year of my life and I have so much gratitude and I feel so blessed for all the opportunities that I was offered. Duke has always been a dream for me, however I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be entering my name into the 2025 NBA draft,” he said.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated”Today is simply the beginning, but I have the Brotherhood with me for life.”Flagg, the former No. 1 prospect in the 2024 high school class, has actually been considered the prohibitive preferred to be drafted first in general in the 2025 NBA draft considering that he ended up being eligible upon reclassifying in August 2023. The 6-foot-9 forward then went on to typical 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 helps during his lone season at Duke, leading heaven Devils to a 35-4

record and a Last Four look.” Truly pleased with Cooper for the unique season that he had this year, “Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.” I think the distinctions promote itself, with what he

did, winning every National Gamer of the Year award. His highlights, his stats, the methods he affected the game on both ends of the floor, really in every category, was off the charts. As excellent of a freshman season that a guy has actually had here.” But to me, the separator and the delight of coaching Cooper is the individual he was every day, the colleague that he was

. Never about statistics or anything aside from producing an environment and helping his team to win. And we won a great deal of games and had a great deal of success and a lot of times that environment is developed from your best player. And Cooper did an extraordinary task in every element of our program, on and off the court, with what he’s done.” Flagg supported the preseason buzz with a strong proving during nonconference play, however he really hit his stride throughout ACC competition in January. He balanced 25.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.9 helps that month, shooting 57.9%from the field and 42.9%from 3-point range.His statement efficiency came against Notre Dame in January, when he set the ACC freshman record for points in a game after going for 42 points, 6 rebounds and 7 helps in a win over the Battling Irish.Flagg suffered an ankle injury during the ACC competition, but recovered in the NCAA competition– including a 30-point, 6-rebound, 7-assist effort in a Sweet 16 win over Arizona.He was the agreement National Player of the Year and ended up being only the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award.