Duke basketball: Can Blue Devils land coveted prospect Cooper Flagg?

The Duke basketball program is heavily after elite prospect Cooper Flagg. 

By now, everyone is familiar with Duke basketball recruiting target Cooper Flagg.

The 2025 elite wing burst onto the scene last year showcasing his athletic prowess at 6-foot-8.

Listed as a small forward, Flagg hails from Newport, Maine but currently plays at Monteverde Academy (Fla.), having transferred there in search of stiffer competition and development.

Let’s delve deeper into what makes Cooper Flagg such a promising prospect.

It is widely known that there is a strong mutual interest between both Flagg and the Blue Devils after he publicly expressed his affinity for Duke, indicating the he grew up a fan of the university.

He has also mentioned that he models his game after Jayson Tatum, a former Duke basketball standout and current star player for the Boston Celtics.

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Flagg received the Duke offer in May 2022, which came as no surprise to the loyal Duke community.

There has been some speculation lately about the potential reclassification for Cooper Flagg and the idea of him arriving in Durham a year ahead of schedule has to be highly appealing for the Blue Devils.

Duke is actively involved in recruiting the top-ranked player in the 2024 class, guard Dylan Harper, as well as 4-star forward Patrick Ngongba II.

Furthermore, they have recently entered the competition and took over as the favorite to land the highly touted 5-star center, Flory Bidunga, who just took an official visit to Duke.

Duke basketball 2025 prospect has all tools to be successful

Cooper Flagg is a very fluid athlete that possesses an extensive offensive repertoire with an exceptional physique and impressive measurements, including broad shoulders and an imposing wingspan.

In transition, Flagg becomes a nightmare for opponents as he relentlessly attacks the rim finishing above the rim with finesse or power. He is an incredibly aggressive player who welcomes contact and does not back down from the competition.

In the half-court, he exhibits proficiency in the mid-range game and effectively utilizes his ball-handling abilities to create scoring opportunities for himself.

Staying on the topic of his ball-handling skills, he could benefit from adding a bit more wiggle.

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His three-point shooting percentages have been poor both at Monteverde and on the EYBL circuit, shooting 25-percent in high school and a 32-percent for his Maine United EYBL team.

As he continues to refine his perimeter shot, it is highly likely that we will witness a significant increase in his 3-point percentage, making him an even more lethal scorer.

Flagg did not put up huge numbers at Montverde, as his overall role on the stacked squad is undoubtedly different.

However, it is evident that he has the potential to become a top scoring option, averaging just 8.5 point per game on 49-percent shooting compared to 27.8 points per contest on 53.4-percent shooting.

Cooper Flagg’s impact on the defensive end of the court matches his offensive exploits.

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For Montverde, he consistently takes on the toughest assignments on defense and is an exceptional on-ball defender, utilizing his lateral quickness, strength, quick hands, and sheer determination to stop his opponent.

His lengthy frame enables him to effortlessly switch onto much larger, or smaller opponents, and effectively stifle them on defense.

Defense relies on willpower, resilience, and toughness, and Flagg exemplifies these qualities as he fearlessly dives for loose balls, takes charges, and contests shots at the rim.

Copper Flagg is the top priority for many colleges, and Duke should aim to secure his commitment as soon as possible.

Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff currently have an early advantage, but it’s important to remember that circumstances can change.

Stay tuned as the next couple of months promise to be interesting.