Cooper Flagg, Duke basketball prep for showdown in finale

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Mar. 4—After a final star showing in front of Duke basketball fans, Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils face their final regular-season test. And it’s a big one.

Flagg played his final game of the season at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Monday, and it was a fitting finale for the Newport native, who has captured national media attention and emerged as a Wooden Award favorite during his freshman year.

The fans chanted “One more year!” as Flagg left the court late in No. 2 Duke’s 93-60 win over Wake Forest, and cameras caught his parents, Ralph and Kelly, beaming in the stands.

Now the regular season ends with a trip to hostile territory as Duke heads to Chapel Hill to play the University of North Carolina in the latest installment of college basketball’s top rivalry.

Previous games

Last week, Flagg led the Blue Devils (27-3, 18-1) to a pair of blowouts in a 97-60 win over Miami and a 100-65 thumping of Florida State. Flagg had 16 points and six assists against the Hurricanes, and 16 points and six rebounds against the Seminoles while dealing with an eye injury.

On Monday, Flagg went out in front of the Cameron Crazies in style, scoring 28 points with eight rebounds and seven assists against the Demon Deacons. He also blocked three shots and had two steals.

Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, but Duke fans did their best to persuade the freshman star to stick around.

“And more,” Flagg answered when asked if Duke has met his expectations. “It’s an incredible place, on and off the court, the best people in the world. I’ve made some incredible connections all over the place here. I’m just so grateful that I came here and got this opportunity.”

When asked about the chants, Flagg didn’t tip his hand.

“I’m living in the present right now,” he said. “I’m living in the moment, taking it day-by-day, practice-by-practice, game-by-game. I don’t know what the future holds.”

Duke coach Jon Scheyer spoke about coaching a generational player like Flagg.

“I think the talent speaks for…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/cooper-flagg-duke-basketball-prep-000000733.html

Author : Portland Press Herald, Maine

Publish date : 2025-03-05 00:00:00

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