In what can only be described as a transcendent and trailblazing freshman campaign, Cooper Flagg has been officially named the NCAA Player of the Year, solidifying his place in college basketball history and adding yet another chapter to the legendary lore of the Duke Blue Devils. The honor comes on the heels of a season that not only surpassed the already sky-high expectations surrounding the heralded recruit, but also redefined what it means to be a freshman phenom in today’s era of college hoops.
Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, arrived at Duke as one of the most hyped recruits in the modern era, widely regarded as a generational talent and the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2024. From the moment he committed to head coach Jon Scheyer’s program, the basketball world held its collective breath in anticipation. Could this teenage prodigy actually live up to the tsunami of expectations that followed him from high school gyms in Maine to the packed Cameron Indoor Stadium?
The answer—resoundingly and emphatically—was yes.
Cooper Flagg’s freshman season wasn’t just great by normal standards; it was historically dominant. He averaged 21.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game, all while shooting an efficient 52.3% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. But stats alone only begin to tell the story. Flagg was the pulse of a Duke team that finished the season 32–4, won the ACC Championship, and advanced all the way to the Final Four. He was not only Duke’s best player but also their emotional leader, anchoring the team on both ends of the floor and drawing comparisons to NBA legends before he had even played a full college semester.
What separated Flagg from his peers wasn’t just his physical gifts—though his 7-foot wingspan, explosive leaping ability, and lateral quickness certainly played a role. It was his mind, his motor, and his maturity that stunned coaches, analysts, and fans alike. His defensive instincts were preternatural. Time and again he anticipated passes, altered shots with surgical precision, and guarded all five positions seamlessly. On offense, his versatility turned heads: he could run the break like a point guard, operate from the post, drain threes from NBA range, and facilitate with a level of vision rarely seen in players his age.
The NCAA Player of the Year Award serves as the crowning jewel on a season that already included ACC Player of the Year, ACC Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and multiple National Player of the Week honors. No freshman in ACC history—save for perhaps Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant in the Big 12—has achieved such a comprehensive list of accolades in a single season. And yet, Flagg’s humility remained steadfast, deflecting praise and frequently crediting his teammates, coaches, and family.
“This isn’t just about me,” Flagg said after learning he had won the award. “I’m honored, and it means a lot, but everything I’ve done this year is because of my brothers in the locker room, the coaching staff who believed in me, and the fans who made Cameron Indoor feel like home. Duke has meant everything to me.”
Indeed, his teammates were instrumental in creating an environment where Flagg could flourish. Veterans like Tyrese Proctor, Jeremy Roach, and Mark Mitchell embraced Flagg’s role as the centerpiece of the team and helped guide him through the pressures that come with being a household name at just 18 years old. But it was Flagg who returned the favor, often setting the tone in big games and rising to the occasion when Duke needed him most.
One such moment came in the ACC title game, where Flagg delivered a masterclass against North Carolina. In front of a packed house, with the rivalry at a fever pitch, Flagg erupted for 33 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals, sealing the win with a thunderous put-back dunk in the final minute that sent Cameron into delirium. It was the kind of performance that becomes legend, the kind of performance that solidifies legacies and wins awards like the one Flagg now possesses.
But even in games where his stat line didn’t scream dominance, his impact was felt. He altered how opposing teams ran their offense. He forced coaches to rewrite game plans. He created space for teammates with screens, cuts, and unselfish play. He led huddles. He dove for loose balls. He played with a fire that belied his youth.
“Cooper’s motor is non-stop,” Coach Scheyer said in a press conference earlier this season. “He competes every possession. He’s the kind of player that makes everyone around him better—and that’s the ultimate compliment. It’s not just about talent, it’s about lifting the team, and that’s what he’s done from day one.”
Indeed, Flagg’s arrival at Duke also signaled a larger narrative within college basketball. In an age where players increasingly look to bypass the NCAA through G-League Ignite, overseas opportunities, or NIL-driven transfers, Flagg chose to embrace the college experience—and he thrived. His presence sparked renewed interest in the college game. Television ratings soared. Ticket prices skyrocketed. The “Flagg Effect” was real, and it reverberated throughout the sport.
There is also the matter of his future, which now looms larger than ever. With his freshman campaign complete, all eyes turn to the NBA Draft, where Flagg is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick. Scouts have been enamored by his combination of size, skill, and IQ, and several NBA executives have already compared him to franchise-changing stars like Kevin Garnett, Scottie Pippen, and even LeBron James in terms of versatility and all-around impact.
And yet, there remains a possibility—however slight—that Flagg could return for a sophomore season. When asked about it during his Player of the Year press conference, Flagg smiled coyly and said, “Right now, I’m just focused on finishing the season strong. Whatever comes next, I’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
That answer, deliberate and measured, is emblematic of who Cooper Flagg has been all year: composed, focused, and mature beyond his years. Whether or not he dons the Duke uniform for a second season, his freshman year will be remembered as one of the greatest in college basketball history.
Flagg’s story is also a powerful reminder of what can still be achieved in the collegiate ranks. In an era dominated by rapid player movement, NIL headlines, and pro-ready decisions, Flagg’s path stood as a reaffirmation of college basketball’s enduring power to elevate and shape the next generation of stars.
The NCAA Player of the Year award is merely confirmation of what Duke fans—and college basketball fans across the country—have known for months: Cooper Flagg is special. Not just in the context of this season, but in the broader narrative of the sport itself. His blend of talent, work ethic, and humility paints the portrait of a player destined for greatness, and the echoes of his freshman year will be heard for years to come.
As the Cameron Crazies chanted his name and opposing arenas marveled at his brilliance, Cooper Flagg didn’t just win games—he inspired awe. He reignited the soul of a program. He made basketball fun again for thousands who had grown weary of the transactional era. And above all, he reminded everyone why we watch this game in the first place.
Cooper Flagg didn’t just earn the title of NCAA Player of the Year. He earned the title of college basketball’s new gold standard.
