Duke phenom Cooper Flagg made his long-awaited collegiate debut Monday evening because the No. 7 Blue Devils outlasted Maine 96-62 to open the 2024-25 season. Flagg completed with 18 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in half-hour earlier than trying out with 3:28 remaining whereas battling cramps.
The Maine native did not get his first basket from the ground till 6:25 remained within the first half. However his command for the sport was on show early as Flagg assisted on two of Duke’s first three buckets. With fellow freshman Kon Knueppel on hearth with 13 factors within the first seven minutes, Flagg took on a complimentary position for a lot of the primary half.
However Flagg’s potential to impression the sport with out the ball in his palms is a part of the attract that makes him the projected No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. The 17-year outdated is thought to be a multi-faceted offensive hub and versatile defender due to his mixture of measurement and athleticism at 6-9 and 205 kilos.
Assembly the hype and expectations can be a tall process for a younger participant. However Flagg is believed to be the uncommon expertise able to assembly the overused “generational” label. We’ll be monitoring his progress right here all season lengthy. This is extra on his first recreation because the Blue Devils began 1-0.
You gotta see this
With Duke main simply 35-27 and beneath 4 minutes remaining within the first half, Flagg supplied a glimpse of the highlight-reel functionality that helped make him the No. 1 total prospect within the Class of 2024. Working on the appropriate wing, Flagg beat a Maine defender off the dribble, hit the paint after which exploded for a vicious right-handed dunk. The play ignited the Cameron Crazies and supplied a glimpse of the electrical potential that Flagg brings.
Key stat
Flagg made 6 of 6 free throws, which was an awesome signal contemplating how a lot time he is prone to spend on the charity stripe this season.
Giving out a grade
Flagg regarded comfy and in command, even throughout a gradual offensive begin. The Blue Devils have been +27 with him on the ground, and he handed the attention take a look at in his first recreation towards a Division I opponent after a few exhibitions towards lower-tier foes. Flagg hardly ever pressured appears on offense, however he did end simply 6 of 15 capturing. Flagg’s 0 for 4 mark from past the arc was the largest drag on his grade. General, although, it was a superb begin. Grade: B+
Up subsequent
Duke returns to motion Friday at 6 p.m. ET when the Blue Devils welcome Military to Cameron Indoor Stadium. Will probably be the ultimate tune-up earlier than a Nov. 12 showdown vs. Kentucky within the State Farm Champions Basic.
Early flash from Flagg in preseason blowout
Flagg had a pleasant and-one end within the first minute of Duke’s 103-47 exhibition beatdown of Arizona State. He added a few free throws shortly thereafter whereas accounting for 4 of his workforce’s six factors. From there, it was principally a quiet day for Flagg because the Blue Devils steamrolled the Solar Devils. He completed with 9 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists on 3 of 9 capturing in 21 minutes. Flagg logged simply 5 minutes within the second half because the Blue Devils performed their reserves ample minutes.
“I assumed he simply impacted the sport in a number of methods,” Scheyer stated. “After all, his numbers aren’t going to wow you or something. I did not put him again within the recreation, in order that’s a part of it. He has this ‘it’ issue which you can’t clarify, the place he simply makes everybody round him higher. His unselfishness, when your greatest participant is just not looking for stats it has such an incredible impression on the remainder of your workforce. That is what he does. He guards whoever you ask him to. He is pushing the break, the ball flowed by way of his palms. I assumed he had a superb recreation and, nonetheless, he is received much more in him.”
Flagg shines in exhibition debut
Flagg logged an environment friendly 24 minutes in Duke’s 107-56 exhibition win over Division II Lincoln (PA) on Oct. 19. He led the Blue Devils in factors (22), assists (6) and blocks (4). Whereas the competitors was missing relative to what Flagg will see all through the common season, it was an encouraging first glimpse at his versatility.
This is what head coach Jon Scheyer needed to say about Flagg’s defensive efficiency within the recreation, through The Devils Den: “He has nice instincts, clearly, with how exhausting he performs. After which, you add in his really feel, he’ll make some particular performs. In the present day, he had 4 blocks. I feel he may even add in some steals, ideally subsequent time going ahead. However I assumed it was good for him. I assumed he was himself. I assumed even for ‘Coop,’ he can rebound extra. There’s a lot there for him. And I assumed it was nice for him to get a really feel right this moment.
Flagg earns No. 3 spot Prime 100 and 1 listing
CBS Sports activities printed its listing of the highest 100 and 1 gamers in faculty basketball getting into the brand new season. Flagg registered at No. 3 on the listing, trailing solely Mark Sears of Alabama and RJ Davis of North Carolina. This is what senior author Gary Parrish needed to say about Flagg:
“Any time the consensus top-ranked highschool participant within the nation, who additionally doubles because the projected No. 1 total decide within the subsequent NBA Draft, enrolls at Duke, the eyes of the game will deal with Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is strictly what’s occurred this preseason. Will Flagg stay as much as expectations and develop into the youngest Wood Award winner in faculty basketball historical past whereas serving to Jon Scheyer advance to his first Remaining 4 as a coach?
“As all the time, we’ll see. However there isn’t any doubting that the 6-9 ahead from Maine is a generational expertise who can and does impression successful in a wide range of methods — from scoring to rebounding to passing and guarding. There’s actual substance behind the hype. His first high-profile recreation can be Nov. 12 towards Kentucky within the Champions Basic in Atlanta.”
Faculty basketball rankings: The Prime 100 and 1 greatest gamers getting into the 2024-25 season
Kyle Boone
Behind the scenes at Duke
Matt Norlander went behind the scenes with Duke throughout preseason follow. “Prepare, as a result of Duke might be going to be The Greatest Deal in Faculty Basketball once more, doubtlessly reaching the stratospheric ranges of Zion Williamson and firm in 2018-19,” Norlander wrote. “Whether or not the Blue Devils are the perfect workforce, top-10 good or an inconsistent curiosity, coach Jon Scheyer is aware of this season goes to be evaluated and adjudicated extra intensely than his first two.
“The explanation for that’s apparent. Cooper Flagg.”
Cooper Flagg hype units tone for Jon Scheyer’s most crucial Duke season but: An inside have a look at the Blue Devils
Matt Norlander
Cooper Flagg named CBS Sports activities preseason Freshman of the 12 months
Cooper Flagg was unanimously voted CBS Sports activities preseason Freshman of the 12 months and was the one freshman named to the CBS Sports activities 2024-25 Preseason All-America First Workforce. This is what Cameron Salerno needed to say about Flagg’s lofty preseason accolades:
“Flagg has generated the hype of being the top-ranked prospect in his respective recruiting class due to his distinctive talent set that can translate to the school degree and make him probably the most dominant gamers at simply 17 years outdated. Flagg can be surrounded by a veteran Duke squad with nationwide championship expectations in 12 months 3 of the Jon Scheyer period. No strain, child.”
2024-25 CBS Sports activities Preseason Freshman of the 12 months: Duke’s Cooper Flagg leads frosh All-America workforce
Cameron Salerno
