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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Cooper Flagg, the highly coveted prospect in high school basketball and the frontrunner to be chosen as the first pick in the 2025 NBA draft, made his commitment to Duke known on Monday.
Flagg ultimately decided to join the Blue Devils instead of UConn.
Duke has been deemed the clear favorite since the initial stages of Flagg’s recruitment. Coach Jon Scheyer made a noticeable impact by attending Flagg’s games, even during his time with the 15U Nike EYBL circuit, and continued to show his support during the spring season. Coaches from UConn, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan also spent time observing his performance during the summer.
Three schools emerged as contenders for Flagg: Duke, UConn, and Kansas. Flagg visited Storrs, Connecticut, in late September, as the Huskies made progress in closing the gap. Subsequently, Flagg canceled his planned visit to Kansas, leaving only the Blue Devils and the Huskies in contention. However, a second visit to Duke for the Blue Devils’ Countdown to Craziness event last weekend solidified his decision to join Scheyer and the Blue Devils.
“After I experienced the campus atmosphere, I could really imagine myself in Durham,” Flagg revealed in his commitment video for SLAM. “The overwhelming support I felt made me incredibly excited, witnessing the passion of the fans and the atmosphere at Cameron. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to join the brotherhood.”
In August, Flagg announced his decision to reclassify from the 2025 class to 2024 and commence his college journey next fall. He will turn 18 in December of his first year, making him eligible for the 2025 NBA draft.
Flagg, a 6-foot-8 forward from Maine, solidified his status as the top prospect in the nation with an impressive series of performances in June and July. While he initially ranked second in the 2025 class behind Cameron Boozer, Flagg secured MVP honors at the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp in Orlando, Florida, in late June. He then delivered an exceptional performance at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in July.
During the Peach Jam, Flagg displayed consistent dominance, averaging 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 6.9 blocks per game. He achieved a double-double in all seven games, including three triple-doubles. Notably, he recorded 38 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, and 12 blocks against Pro Skills, and 37 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 10 blocks against New Heights Lightning.
Overall, Flagg’s contributions with Maine United last spring and summer showcased his talent, as he averaged 26.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 37.4% from 3-point range in 22 games.
After leading Nokomis Regional High School (Maine) to a state championship as a freshman, Flagg transferred to Montverde Academy (Florida) to play under legendary high school coach Kevin Boyle. In the previous season, he participated in 25 games, averaging 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks in approximately 18 minutes per game.
This season, Flagg has embraced a greater offensive role for Montverde, posting averages of 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in three games at the Border League in Las Vegas earlier this month.
In 2022, Flagg represented USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Cup at just 15 years old, aiding in securing the gold medal for the team. Throughout the tournament, he averaged 9.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, along with a team-leading 2.4 steals and 2.9 blocks per game in seven appearances. Notably, he recorded a 10-point, 17-rebound, eight-steal, and four-block performance in the final against Spain, setting a single-game rebounding record for the men’s U17 team. As a result, Flagg was named USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year in December 2022.
“Flagg is truly exceptional,” remarked an NBA scout during an ESPN interview over the summer. “He possesses the mental fortitude necessary for success. His mindset, work ethic, and consistent production make him a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year at the NBA level, even if he doesn’t further develop his offensive skills. His growth in terms of live-ball playmaking, shot-creating off the dribble, instinctual decision-making on both ends of the court, and his overall demeanor present the opportunity for him to become a transformative player in the sport.”
“Cooper Flagg embodies the modern-day wing in the NBA,” added a college coach. “He possesses length, athleticism, versatility, and the ability to dribble, pass, and shoot. The intensity and competitiveness he brings to the game will seamlessly translate to the next level.”
With Flagg’s commitment, Duke is now the frontrunner to assemble the top recruiting class in the country. Prior to Flagg’s commitment, the Blue Devils had already secured the commitment of five-star wing Isaiah Evans (No. 8) and top-50 guards Kon Knueppel (No. 22) and Darren Harris (No. 45). Furthermore, Duke remains in the pursuit of five-star prospects V.J. Edgecombe (No. 5) and Pat Ngongba (No. 19). All three committed recruits, alongside Edgecombe and Ngongba, visited Duke during Countdown to Craziness two weekends ago.
Scheyer has now accomplished securing the No. 1 and No. 2 recruiting classes in his first two cycles since becoming Mike Krzyzewski’s successor.
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