Projected top pick in ’25 NBA draft Cooper Flagg commits to Duke

Cooper Flagg, the highly sought-after prospect in the world of high school basketball and the frontrunner to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, made his decision to commit to Duke University public on Monday.

Flagg ultimately chose Duke over UConn, solidifying the Blue Devils’ position as the favorites early on in the recruitment process. Coach Jon Scheyer showed a strong presence at Flagg’s games, even during his time playing for the 15U Nike EYBL circuit. This continued throughout the spring season, with coaches from other top programs also keeping a close eye on him during the summer.

Three schools were in the running for Flagg’s commitment: Duke, UConn, and Kansas. Flagg took an official visit to UConn in late September, causing some speculation that the gap between the two schools was closing. However, a second visit to Duke for the Blue Devils’ Countdown to Craziness event swung the momentum back in favor of Scheyer and Duke.

Speaking about his decision, Flagg expressed his excitement about joining the Duke brotherhood after a visit to campus. He mentioned the electric atmosphere in Cameron Indoor Stadium and the warm reception he received from students and fans.

In August, Flagg announced that he would be reclassifying from the 2025 class to the 2024 class, with plans to start college next fall. He will turn 18 in his freshman year, making him eligible for the 2025 NBA draft.

Flagg, a 6-foot-8 forward from Maine, established himself as the premier prospect in the country with an impressive series of performances in June and July. He began the summer as the second-ranked player in the 2025 class but quickly rose in the ranks after earning MVP honors at the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp in Orlando and delivering a standout performance at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

At the Peach Jam, Flagg showcased his dominance by averaging 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 6.9 blocks. He recorded a double-double in all seven games, including three triple-doubles. Notably, he put up impressive numbers of 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 had an outstanding season with Maine United, averaging 26.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 5.2 blocks in 22 games during the spring and summer.

Prior to joining Montverde Academy in Florida, Flagg led Nokomis Regional High School in Maine to a state title as a freshman. In his first season with Montverde, he played in 25 games, contributing 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game in limited minutes.

This season, Flagg has taken on a bigger offensive role for Montverde, averaging 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in three games at the Border League in Las Vegas.

Flagg’s talent also extends to the international stage. At the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022, Flagg represented the USA and played a pivotal role in securing the gold medal. He averaged 9.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks in seven games, including a memorable performance of 10 points, 17 rebounds, eight steals, and four blocks in the final against Spain. His 17 rebounds in that game set a single-game record for the men’s U17 team. He was named USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year in December 2022.

Scouts and college coaches alike have praised Flagg’s potential in the sport. An NBA scout described him as a mentally strong player who consistently delivers in terms of mindset, motor, and production. Another college coach emphasized Flagg’s versatility and praised his intensity and competitiveness.

With Flagg’s commitment, Duke emerges as the front-runner to secure the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. The Blue Devils had already secured commitments from highly rated players Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Darren Harris. They are also actively pursuing top prospects V.J. Edgecombe and Pat Ngongba.

Since taking over as head coach at Duke, Jon Scheyer has consistently produced top recruiting classes, and Flagg’s commitment only further strengthens the program’s standing.