Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson Make Cooper Flagg’s Duke Blue Devils Basketball Pantheon…

Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson Make Cooper Flagg’s Duke Blue Devils Basketball Pantheon…

 

DURHAM, N.C. — Cooper Flagg has officially cemented his place among Duke basketball royalty — and in doing so, he’s placed himself alongside two of the program’s most electrifying stars: Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson.

In a recent interview, Flagg named Tatum and Williamson as key inspirations, saying their legacies at Duke helped shape his own goals when arriving in Durham. But after a historic freshman season, it’s now Flagg who is drawing comparisons — and not just making lists, but becoming a headline in Duke’s ever-growing pantheon of greatness.

“Those guys set the standard,” Flagg said. “But I came here to build on that.”

And build he did.

Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Maine, burst onto the college basketball scene as the nation’s No. 1 recruit — and somehow exceeded expectations. Averaging over 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, Flagg led the Blue Devils to an ACC title and a Final Four appearance. His performances were equal parts explosive and composed, drawing praise from across the basketball world.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer didn’t hesitate to put Flagg in the same breath as the legends.

“Cooper’s impact goes beyond the box score,” Scheyer said. “What Tatum brought in terms of poise, and what Zion brought in terms of raw athleticism and energy — Cooper’s doing all of that at once.”

Tatum, who starred at Duke in the 2016–17 season before becoming an NBA All-Star and 2024 champion with the Boston Celtics, set a blueprint for polished two-way wings. Williamson, meanwhile, redefined physical dominance during his 2018–19 season, creating viral highlights and winning National Player of the Year.

Flagg’s approach is a hybrid of both. He has Tatum’s mid-range touch and footwork, paired with Zion’s intensity and defensive tenacity. But what makes Flagg special, say scouts and analysts, is his maturity — his ability to read the game, make the right play, and lead even as a freshman.

Perhaps most telling is how his idols have taken notice. Tatum reached out to mentor Flagg earlier in the season, offering advice and encouragement. Williamson, too, congratulated him publicly after his 40-point performance against North Carolina — a game many now cite as the defining moment of his young career.

With national Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors already in hand, Flagg’s legacy at Duke is secure, even as he prepares for the 2025 NBA Draft — where he is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg’s rise reflects the evolving standard at Duke: one-and-done players who not only perform, but dominate. His name now stands tall with the likes of Tatum, Williamson, Kyrie Irving, and Grant Hill — players who left their mark in just one season.

“He’s not just part of the conversation,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “He is the conversation.”

As Cooper Flagg departs Durham, he leaves behind more than stats or trophies — he leaves a legacy that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best to ever wear the Blue and White.