Duke forward Cooper Flagg is widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. He has worked hard to live up to the hype, and most draft boards have him as the top overall player. With that in mind, several NBA teams have embraced the idea of tanking to position themselves for a chance to draft Flagg.
The Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and several other teams are among those in prime position to potentially land him. However, Flagg has yet to officially declare for the draft or confirm his intentions.
Flagg is currently averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game for the Blue Devils. If he does enter the draft, he will be one of the most highly sought-after prospects in NBA history.
Cooper Flagg Suffers Injury, Fans React
During the first half of Duke’s ACC tournament quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech, Flagg went down holding his ankle in visible pain, leaving fans in shock.
Cooper Flagg exited the game and was helped to the locker room after appearing to injure his left ankle in the first half against Georgia Tech. pic.twitter.com/EiUslVt0ZM
— ESPN (@espn) March 13, 2025
Following the injury, many took to social media to share their concerns and well wishes for Flagg. One fan wrote, “That looks painful. Wishing him a speedy recovery.”
That looks painful. Wishing him a speedy recovery
— Marcus (@mackan99) March 13, 2025
“Hope Cooper Flagg recovers quickly!” added another fan. “Take my ankle Coop” chimed in another.
The severity of the injury is still unknown, but Flagg was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair for further evaluation. He did not return in Duke’s ACC Tournament victory over Georgia Tech, and his injury could be a major blow to Duke’s ACC tournament hopes and their NCAA tournament aspirations.
There is also concern that if the injury is serious, it could impact Flagg’s draft stock and future. Will this affect his No. 1 pick status? And where does this leave Duke heading into March Madness?
Can Duke Win It All Without Flagg?
If Flagg is forced to miss significant time, it will be a tough challenge for the Blue Devils. Duke has had a stellar season, finishing 28-3, with Flagg playing in all 31 of those games.
Without him, Duke will have to rely heavily on key players such as Tyrese Proctor and freshman Kon Knueppel to carry them through the tournament. Winning a championship without their best player would be a tall order.
For Flagg, this injury also raises several questions. His draft declaration has been widely speculated on, and the injury only furthers those speculations.
NBA scouts already have plenty of film on Flagg, so even if he is sidelined for the rest of the season, it may not affect teams’ willingness to draft him. However, the main focus right now is Flagg’s health and recovery. As the situation develops, both Duke and Flagg will need to be cautious with his return.