Cooper Flagg has an important decision to make later this spring. But for now, the freshman is set to play his in his first ACC Tournament for Duke basketball. The Blue Devils’ performance this week could help the team earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
Duke enters the week with a No. 1 ranking and a 28-3 record. Flagg, who is expected to go No. 1 in the NBA draft this summer if he elects to enter, leads the Blue Devils in scoring with 19.4 rebounds per game in addition to 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Cooper Flagg has to make a decision on the NBA
Flagg turned heads this winter when he told The Athletic that he wants to return to Duke next season. While he’s enjoying his days in college, postponing his rookie season would cost him significant money in the Association.
Even with NIL money, Flagg would sacrifice tens of millions to return to the Blue Devils.
Chris Branch of The Athletic wrote about Flagg’s decision in “The Pulse” daily newsletter for Tuesday. Branch thinks it would be unrealistic to think Flagg is actually considering returning to Duke next season.
“I also chatted with Sam Vecenie, our resident NBA Draft expert, about the entire premise,” Branch wrote. “Sam politely pointed out that such a move could cost Flagg $50 million in the long run. Flagg would already be pushing back his potential NBA free agency by a year. It’s not a smart move, if we’re talking numbers.
“And, to be frank, I don’t really believe Flagg is actually considering this. Our story, plus this postgame clip, is fueling the entire narrative.”
Duke Basketball could win the NCAA Tournament this spring
Flagg has no reason to risk postponing his first NBA contract. However, 18-year-olds do odd things all the time.
Flagg said he’d love to return to Duke in the context that he wanted to fulfill his dream of winning a college championship. There’s a very good possibility he will win the NCAA Tournament in April.
If that happens, Flagg wouldn’t have a reason to return to the Blue Devils.
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