The number 1 prospect in high school basketball, based on ESPN's 2024 Top 100, forward Cooper Flagg committed to Duke University on October 30. The top schools in the running for the Maine star were Duke and UConn, and previously Kansas. Flagg took Kansas out of the running after cancelling an official visit after a visit to UConn in September.
Flagg boasts a 6'8" height, emerging to the masses primarily for his elite defense. In July 2023, at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, Flagg averaged 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 6.9 blocks, and put up a double-double in all seven games he played. Sports Illustrated describes Flagg as "a great shot blocker that that possesses strength and speed to guard nearly any position. He covers a ton of space and moves very well. Given his size, Flagg is also a fantastic rebounder as well."
On the offensive side, Sports Illustrated states, "He has great vision for his size and could end up being the dominant point forward archetype that we see around the NBA today. Flagg can also create for himself, leveraging great footwork, post moves and dribble moves to generate space and good looks. He’s an advanced shot maker and strong finisher, but also has soft touch."
Flagg plays for high school athletics powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida, transferring there after winning a Maine state title with Nokomis Regional High School in his freshman year. In October 2023, Flagg averaged 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in three games at the Border League tournament in Las Vegas, for Montverde.
Flagg made his name known when he played for USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022 at fifteen years old. His gold-medal averages were "9.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and a team-high 2.4 steals and 2.9 blocks in seven games, including a 10-point, 17-rebound, eight-steal, four-block performance in the final against Spain." He would subsequently be named USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year in December 2022.
With Flagg's recruitment, Duke coach Jon Scheyer, who took over for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski after his retirement following the 2021-22 season, has helped his program land four top-50 players in the class of 2024. North Carolina native Isaiah Evans (number 8 in ESPN's rankings), guard Kon Knueppel (number 22) and guard Darren Harris (number 45) all will be joined by Flagg in blue jerseys next November. According to ESPN, Duke is also in pursuit of five-star prospects forward VJ Edgecombe (number 5) and center Pat Ngongba (number 19).
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