Cooper Flagg says he’s learned lessons from the Blue Devils defeat in the Final Four.
Following Duke’s dramatic Final Four collapse against Houston, Cooper Flagg has not shied away from the spotlight.
The Blue Devils lost 70-67 after the Cougars pulled off a shocking 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds.
It was a brutal ending to a near-perfect season following an incredible run in March Madness, but Flagg made it crystal clear, he’s using that pain as fuel.
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“I think you can take lessons from every game that you play in,” Flagg said as per USA Today.
“I’ll take that and I’m going to learn a lot from it. I’ll probably watch the film and just try to grow from that experience and remember what that felt like and use it as motivation.”
Flagg’s last line seems to be a warning to his future opponents amid speculation over his potential future in the NBA.
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Wooden Winner, ACC Royalty and Future No. 1?
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Cooper Flagg didn’t just meet expectations in his freshman season, he owned them.
The 6-foot-9 sensation scooped up the John R. Wooden Award on Friday, a historic honour given to the top college basketball player in the nation.
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That puts him in elite company, joining only Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson as the only freshmen to ever win it.
“It’s an incredible honor for me to get this type of recognition,” Flagg said at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
“I’m so grateful and it’s just a big honor. I’m just incredibly blessed to have this opportunity and experience.”
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He also snagged ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, posting dominant averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game as Duke stormed to a 35-4 record.
When asked about the pressure of being the face of a programme like Duke, Flagg kept it cool:
“There’s a little bit of pressure, but it’s all about trusting the work, my teammates and my coaches and the positions and situations they put me in. Just being who I am and playing to my potential.”
Though Flagg hasn’t made any formal announcement, he’swidely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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When is the 2025 NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft itself is scheduled for June 25 at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on ESPN, ABC and ESPN+.
When is the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery?
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The NBA Draft Lottery is set for May 12 in Chicago.
The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets are leading the charge for the top pick.
And with Flagg in the mix, whoever lands No. 1 will be getting the headliner on the franchise menu.