In a surprising twist that has left many college basketball and NBA fans scratching their heads, Duke University, a program known for celebrating its storied alumni with unmatched pride, made waves this week when it recognized a former Blue Devil as its top NBA Summer League performer — but overlooked the name on everyone’s lips: Cooper Flagg. While Flagg hasn’t yet taken the floor in a regular-season college game, his presence at the Summer League, thanks to special involvement in team practices and high-profile exhibition events, was undeniable. Yet the nod from Duke went instead to another name, one that — while respected — wasn’t expected to overshadow the young phenom whose hype has reached nearly Zion Williamson-levels.
The choice sparked immediate reaction across social media, among journalists, and even from former Duke players who expressed both confusion and support for Flagg. The decision has stirred debate over what criteria are used for such recognition, how Duke intends to manage its newest basketball sensation’s exposure, and whether this moment reflects a broader philosophy shift within the program about development, legacy, and loyalty.
The recipient of the recognition was none other than Tre Jones, the steady-handed point guard who’s been making his way quietly but effectively through the NBA ranks since being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2020. Jones had an excellent Summer League showing — averaging solid assist-to-turnover numbers, leadership from the guard spot, and helping a younger roster find cohesion. But while his stat line was impressive, it wasn’t transcendent, and that’s what made the decision to elevate him over Flagg all the more curious.
Cooper Flagg, despite not being officially eligible for the NBA Summer League in the conventional sense, was seen courtside in practices and scrimmages. His time spent training with Summer League-bound prospects and his one-on-one workouts that were shared widely on social media highlighted his NBA-ready athleticism, defensive instincts, and evolving offensive skill set. Every major basketball outlet has spent the past two months singing his praises, and most mock drafts already have him as the consensus number one pick for the 2026 NBA Draft.
So why was he passed over?
Sources close to the Duke program indicate the choice was both political and developmental. One assistant coach, speaking anonymously, suggested that the coaching staff is deliberately trying to temper the overwhelming attention surrounding Flagg. “The goal,” he said, “is to protect him from burnout and let his game do the talking when the college season starts. The noise around him is already at fever pitch. We don’t need to throw gasoline on the fire.”
It’s a fair point. Duke, after all, has had mixed results with players entering their program under immense public pressure. While Zion Williamson handled it with grace, others have struggled to live up to impossible expectations. Flagg, who reclassified to join the 2024 recruiting class, is stepping into a program that’s built to compete for a national championship next season — and the last thing Duke wants is for media narratives to derail the focus that’s required to win at that level.
Yet even with this rationale, it’s hard to ignore the message the decision sends. Celebrating a player like Tre Jones — who no doubt deserves praise for his growth and consistency — while ignoring the obvious rising star in Flagg, feels like a missed opportunity to align the program with the excitement and potential that fans, scouts, and media are all seeing.
Flagg’s impact at Duke hasn’t even officially started, and yet he’s already changing the program’s national perception. Videos of his workouts routinely go viral. NBA players have lauded his poise and maturity. Even Hall of Fame figures have been impressed with the Maine native’s presence and instinctual grasp of the game. To not mention him in any capacity when talking about Duke’s Summer League influence is an omission that speaks volumes — whether intentional or not.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Duke has made headlines for a controversial omission. In the past, the program has sometimes leaned into narratives that prioritize team stability over star power, particularly under the reign of Jon Scheyer, who succeeded Coach Mike Krzyzewski with a clear vision of maintaining Duke’s standards while avoiding the pitfalls of a one-and-done star system gone awry. For Scheyer, the emphasis has been on culture — on building teams that play with chemistry, defensive grit, and balanced scoring — rather than revolving around a single phenom.
That said, ignoring Flagg feels like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a beach umbrella.
To understand the magnitude of Flagg’s presence, one needs only to look at how NBA scouts have described him: “The most complete two-way prospect since Anthony Davis,” said one Western Conference executive. “If he’s not an All-Star by year three, something went terribly wrong.” Those are massive expectations, but they’re expectations built on evidence. Flagg’s performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, his stints with Team USA, and his high school dominance at Montverde Academy have all pointed toward a player destined for greatness.
In contrast, Tre Jones has made his career through resilience and measured growth. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable. That’s what made him valuable in college, and that’s what has made him a solid backup in the NBA. If this award from Duke was meant to celebrate perseverance, then it makes sense. But if it was meant to identify the player most buzz-worthy in the Summer League context, then it feels misplaced.
There’s also a media angle to consider. Duke’s athletic department is known for its calculated media strategies. Choosing Jones over Flagg could be an effort to reinforce a team-first image and avoid the perception that Duke is placing too much emphasis on an incoming freshman. This could be especially relevant with NIL discussions raging across the college sports world. There’s a real tension between promoting a player’s brand and protecting a team’s identity, and Duke may be erring on the side of caution.
But that caution may come at a cost.
Recruits watch how programs treat their stars. They pay attention to who gets promoted, who gets the spotlight, and who gets the nods of institutional approval. While Flagg likely isn’t bothered by this decision — his path to NBA stardom is already paved — other elite prospects may interpret Duke’s conservative approach as being out of step with the player-first era of college sports.
This isn’t to say Duke must go full-blown hype machine. But recognition matters. Especially when it’s earned.
It’s also worth noting that Flagg has been nothing but humble and team-oriented in his public statements. He’s consistently deflected praise to teammates and coaches. He’s handled comparisons to LeBron James and Kevin Durant with humility. He’s done everything a program could ask of a high-profile recruit. Which is why overlooking him here feels so out of sync with the direction that most college programs are moving — toward embracing their stars while still maintaining a culture of team-first basketball.
The implications of this decision will play out over time. If Flagg dominates the college game as expected and leads Duke deep into March, this moment will likely be forgotten. But if friction emerges — if Flagg feels under-supported, or if other recruits begin to question Duke’s approach to high-profile players — this seemingly minor award could be remembered as a subtle warning sign.
In the meantime, Tre Jones deserves his flowers. His grind, discipline, and growth are the blueprint for how to carve out an NBA career from a college foundation. He’s the kind of player every coach loves to have, and Duke should absolutely be proud of his journey.
But Cooper Flagg is the future — and perhaps the present too.
And the future deserves to be acknowledged, even if just in passing.
