SAN ANTONIO — Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates were just days away from securing a spot in the Final Four, and the freshman standout was already thinking ahead.
But his thoughts weren’t on basketball. Instead, he was preparing for the next time teammates Khaman Maluach and Patrick Ngongba ambushed him with water guns at the cold tubs.
“I’m definitely getting one too,” Flagg said with a grin, embracing the playful side of being a teenager. Yet, while his personality reflects his youth, his game has been anything but immature. From his debut, the 18-year-old has showcased elite skills—scoring, rebounding, facilitating plays, and locking down opponents defensively. He has met the sky-high expectations as the projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, leading Duke with a relentless competitive edge and remarkable poise.
That excellence earned him the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year award on Friday, making him just the fourth freshman to win in the award’s 64-year history. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward from Newport, Maine, edged out Auburn’s Johni Broome in a two-man race. Both were unanimous AP First-Team All-Americans, but Flagg claimed 42 of 61 Player of the Year votes.
He joins elite company, following Zion Williamson (2019), Anthony Davis (2012), and Kevin Durant (2007), all of whom became top-two NBA draft picks. Flagg is also Duke’s eighth winner, the most of any program.
“He plays so hard, he’s competitive, a great teammate,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “And his talent speaks for itself.”
A High Standard
Arriving at Duke at just 17 after reclassifying, Flagg has surpassed even the loftiest expectations. Heading into Saturday’s national semifinal against Houston, he leads the team in points (18.9 per game), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), and steals (1.4), while ranking second in blocks (1.3).
“I set high expectations for myself,” Flagg told the AP. “I know how much work I’ve put in, how many hours I’ve grinded. It’s about trusting that work and performing at the highest level.”
And he has. His record-breaking 42-point game against Notre Dame set an ACC freshman benchmark. His highlight-reel dunk against Pittsburgh electrified fans. He dominated in Duke’s win over Broome’s Auburn team and dropped 30 points in a Sweet 16 victory over Arizona a performance Scheyer called “one of the best tournament games I’ve ever been a part of.”
Duke’s balanced approach has allowed Flagg to refine his game further. He’s embraced the small details early recovery sessions, improved sleep habits inspired by veteran teammates, and absorbing every lesson on how to thrive at the highest level.
“As far as outside expectations, I don’t care,” Flagg said. “It’s about meeting the expectations of my teammates, coaches, and family. I’m human—I’ll make mistakes. But having great people around me makes all the difference.”
Unshaken by Pressure
Flagg’s mother, Kelly, admires her son’s ability to tune out distractions.
“He’s always been comfortable in his own skin,” she told the AP. “He doesn’t get rattled because he believes in himself. That’s a special skill when the noise can be overwhelming.”
His parents moved to North Carolina for the season while his twin brother, Ace, finishes high school in nearby Greensboro. Having family close has been grounding, with visits home providing a mental reset.
That balance has translated into improved play. Since January 1, Flagg has elevated his stats across the board—scoring (20.1 ppg), assists (4.5), shooting percentage (51%), and three-point accuracy (43.4%). His mother has long seen that competitive fire, recalling how as a child, he refused to quit after losing a driveway game of HORSE or a board game.
“He always had to be first,” Kelly said. “And when he was younger, if something went wrong, it was 50-50 whether he’d make a reckless foul or do something amazing. Now, those odds lean toward something special happening.”
Enjoying the Moment
Despite the spotlight, Flagg has embraced life at Duke, building connections with students and finding a sense of normalcy off the court. While he’s already a recognizable face in commercials and NIL deals, he shrugs off the attention.
“There are worse problems to have,” he said of frequent autograph requests.
Though many expect him to declare for the NBA after the season, Flagg remains focused on the present—the Final Four, his team, and, of course, securing that water gun.
Be the first to comment