Many Duke Blue Devils fans are still feeling regret over missing out on the natty with the team’s current iteration. This run has been the farthest the team has been in the March Madness tournamennt since Coach K last led the program to a national title victory in 2015.
While missing out on a such a huge title is a painful reminder for them, it was also supposed to be the year Cooper Flagg would cap off one of the best freshmen seasons in NCAA men’s basketball history to bolster his resume for the NBA.
After a heartbreaking campaign, it would make sense for a highly touted blue-chip recruit to forego his remaining years of eligibility and move on to the pros. Many expect the Utah Jazz (or whichever team lands with the first overall pick) to snag the most talented eighteen-year-old from the get-go.
However, Flagg’s most recent media appearance may throw a wrench to the plans of the teams tanking to get him.
Cooper Flagg reveals uncertainty over foregoing remaining years with the Duke Blue Devils
Once the fever of March Madness is over, the top college prospects of every draft class are now lasered into making a beeline to the NBA. Playing in the league is a dream they’ve been working for since they were kids, after all.
Flagg is expected to commit to the draft process once his freshman year is done. While he has his fair share of doubters, almost everyone believes the Newport, ME native would make it big in the NBA.
However, Flagg revealed that he’s not totally committed to the idea of immediately jumping ship to the league. He revealed in a recent interview that his thoughts days after the tournament didn’t give him a clear idea on what’s next for his future.
Per Athlon Sports’ Chris Phelps:
“I think kind of what you said, just evaluating, you know, reflecting,” Flagg said. “It was an incredible year. I met a lot of incredible people. Made a ton of great relationships that I’m going to have for the rest of my life, and I think now it’s time for me to reflect. You know, take a couple days; take a week; take a month. Whatever it is for me. Talk to my parents, talk to the coaches and just really decide what’s best for me.”
It’s quite uncommon to hear high-value NBA prospects talk about the draft process in this light. The best young ballers all over the world would usually give everything they have to even have a sniff of getting their name called in the draft, but Flagg is mulling his future over it.
Of course, staying for one more year has its risks. Getting injured in your second year in the college game will drastically affect his already high draft stock. However, Flagg’s already proven with this declaraion that money is isn’t his top priority at the moment.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that the young forward will eventually put his name in for the draft. However, he could cause a momentous shift if he does decide to run it back with Jon Scheyer for one more year.
For More Content
Reach me on social media @ebbydancel for questions and opportunities. Click here for more content about your favorite NBA, WNBA, and college basketball teams!
