After a record-breaking freshman campaign at Duke, Cooper Flagg addressed his basketball future during an appearance on SportsCenter, leaving the door open as speculation mounts about the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The 18-year-old forward, who was named the 2025 John R. Wooden Award winner, reflected on a season that saw him lead Duke to an ACC title and a Final Four appearance.
Flagg emphasized the role of his inner circle in navigating the intense expectations that followed him into college, saying, “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to my support system – my family, my coaches, my teammates.”
While many expected a definitive declaration, Flagg stopped short of announcing his draft intentions, stating that he will take time to reflect before making a final decision.
“It was an incredible year,” Flagg said. “Now it’s time to reflect, take some time, talk to my parents and coaches, and decide what’s best for me.”
The Maine native became the first freshman in Duke history to win the Wooden Award, finishing the season with several standout performances that have solidified his status as a consensus No. 1 pick.
Among his most notable outings, Flagg scored 42 points against Notre Dame on January 12, setting new freshman scoring records for both Duke and the ACC.
He also posted 30 points in Duke’s Sweet 16 win over Arizona and added 27 points in the Final Four loss to Houston, cementing his reputation as a big-game performer.
Flagg concluded the season as the first ACC player in 25 years to record over 500 points, 100 assists, and 30 blocks in a regular season.
He credited Duke’s team chemistry and off-court relationships as key factors in the Blue Devils’ success, noting the tight bond among teammates.
“We’re such a close-knit group off the court that it allowed us to play together and connected on the court,” he said.
Family support has also been a constant, with Flagg revealing that both his parents and grandparents attended nearly every game.
He humorously acknowledged his mother’s tough love, especially when it came to missed free throws, saying, “She always yelled at me about my free throws, my defense.”
In addition to winning ACC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, Flagg helped Duke to a 19-1 conference record and the top seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.
Despite suffering a sprained ankle in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, Flagg returned to lead Duke deep into March Madness.
He becomes just the fourth Blue Devil to win both major ACC honors in the same season, joining Zion Williamson, Marvin Bagley III, and Jahlil Okafor.
As chants of “One More Year” echoed from the Cameron Crazies, Flagg left the possibility of a return open-ended.
The decision will likely be made in the coming weeks, but for now, the projected lottery pick is opting for patience.
“I met amazing people and built relationships that will last a lifetime,” Flagg said. “I’ve tried to cherish every opportunity and moment.”
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 30.6 minutes per game for Duke.
The basketball world now awaits his next move, as NBA front offices prepare for a draft class headlined by a player who has already made history.
