Earlier today, Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg was named the AP Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, becoming just the fourth freshman in the award’s 64-year history to earn the honor. He joins Duke’s Zion Williamson, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, and Texas’ Kevin Durant as the only other freshmen to win the award. Each one of those players went on to be the number-one or number-two overall pick in their respective draft classes.
“He plays so hard, he’s competitive, a great teammate,” said Duke coach Jon Scheyer after the Blue Devils’ last home game. “And, obviously, his ability is special.”
In 36 starts, Flagg has averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He is also shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.4% from the three-point line.
Duke’s entire roster and coaching staff are in attendance for Cooper Flagg’s AP Player of the Year ceremony. pic.twitter.com/AgoZoSrCzE
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) April 4, 2025
“I hold myself to a high standard, high expectations,” Flagg told the Associated Press. “Just because I know how much work I’ve put in and how many hours I’ve spent grinding and putting that work in… It’s those expectations of just trusting what you do and just doing it to the highest level.”
Those high standards have paid off in the NCAA Tournament. Not only has Flagg managed to lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four, but he also improved his points, blocks, rebounds, and assists averages in Duke’s four March Madness games.
“As far as outside expectations, I couldn’t really care less,” Flagg said. “For me, it’s more about following the expectations of my teammates, my coaches, my family. Everybody’s human, so I’m going to make mistakes. I’m not going to be at my best all the time. But that’s what having great teammates and great coaches does for you. They just always have my back and are always there for me.”
“Cooper Flagg does so many things well and he’s gonna be a franchise player on any team he goes to..
He doesn’t say shit to anybody and he’s more liked than a lot of the Duke guys before him”@RealJayWilliams #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jdyW1CcCjP
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 4, 2025
Flagg’s mother, Kelly, admires how her son can ignore the outside noise and expectations.
“I think he sees it, but he really doesn’t let it bother him,” she told the Associated Press. “He’s so comfortable with who he is, and he’s always been that way. That’s why he doesn’t get rattled easily, because he believes in himself and it doesn’t really matter to him what other people think. That’s a special ability to be able to drown out the noise when the noise can be overwhelming at times for somebody like him. I’m really proud of him for being able to do that.”
Flagg’s high expectations and abilities will be put to the test this weekend when the Duke Blue Devils face the number-one-seeded Houston Cougars on Saturday with a trip to the NCAA Tournament National Championship on the line. That game is scheduled to tip off at 8:49 p.m. EDT.
