In a raucous, unforgettable night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke’s prodigious freshman standout Cooper Flagg electrified the crowd during what might be his final home game.
With the Blue Devils cruising to a 93-60 victory over Wake Forest, the legendary “Cameron Crazies” erupted in chants of “ONE MORE YEAR!” as Flagg headed to the bench.
“One more year” chants break out as Cooper Flagg finishes the night with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists 🗣️
Is this his last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium? pic.twitter.com/OkShl2RPLl
— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy)
At just 17 years old, the Main native has accomplished more in his short tenure at Duke than many players do over an entire college career. Posting an impressive stat line of 28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals, he has only further solidified his status as the soon-to-be No.1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Cooper Flagg’s Unforgettable Season
Since joining Duke, Flagg has been a revelation on the court. Showcasing a lethal combination of versatility, athleticism and high basketball IQ, he led the Blue Devils in points (19.6), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.2) per game in 2025. Duke is now 27-3 and ranked No. 2 in the country behind only Auburn (27-2).
A former five-star recruit and top-ranked player in the country, Flagg has somehow lived up to the hype at Duke. In just his freshman year, he’s become the team’s best player in all facets of the game and remains the crown jewel of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg has only continued to improve over the course of the season and with the Blue Devils poised to make a run in March, he could go down as one of the most coveted NBA prospects of all time.
The Decision at a Crossroads
Yet behind the celebratory scenes lies a monumental decision that could alter the course of Flagg’s burgeoning career. In his postgame interview, Flagg offered a measured response when asked about his future:
“I’m living in the present right now… taking it day by day, practice by practice, game by game. I don’t know what the future holds.”
So, this begs the question: Is it realistic to expect this rising star to return to Duke next season?
With its rich traditions, camaraderie, and the sheer magic of playing in a historic arena like Cameron Indoor, the romantic allure of college basketball has an undeniable charm.
On the other hand, there’s the financial and professional allure of the NBA.
The Likely Outcome
Given the myriad of factors at play, the consensus among the majority of basketball fans and draft analysts leans towards Flagg making the jump to the NBA after this season.
The financial rewards of going pro, coupled with the opportunity to test his mettle against the world’s best, make the professional path the most likely outcome. Not to mention the possibility of him sustaining an injury if he returns and seeing his draft stock plummet next season.
Cooper Flagg feels like the kind of prospect who could turn any franchise around, and he’s easily the most can’t miss talent among those projected to go in the top five. It’s a tough decision to make, but I’m sure when the time comes he’ll be declaring for the NBA Draft.
