The Duke Blue Devils have a storied history in college basketball, with legends like Christian Laettner and recent stars such as Zion Williamson. Throughout the program’s illustrious past, there have been some highly talented freshmen. Williamson, for instance, is one of just three freshmen in men’s basketball history to win the Naismith College Player of the Year, alongside Anthony Davis from Kentucky and Kevin Durant from Texas. Based on the current season’s performances, it seems there may soon be a fourth player added to that exclusive list.
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s standout freshman and the projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has showcased remarkable dominance on both ends of the court throughout the season. Ahead of the highly anticipated North Carolina-Duke game, ESPN analyst and former Blue Devils star Jay Williams made a bold claim about Flagg.
“Cooper is the most complete and skilled freshman in Duke basketball history,” Williams said. While this is a bold statement from one of the program’s all-time greats, there’s a strong argument to be made. Although Williamson’s overall statistics at the end of his freshman season are stronger than Flagg’s current numbers, Flagg’s defensive contribution has been a key factor in Duke’s success. As of Friday, Duke ranks fifth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 59.5 points per game, largely due to Flagg’s defensive efforts.
Moreover, Flagg plays a more significant role as a playmaker compared to Williamson, with Flagg averaging nearly double the number of assists that Williamson had during his freshman season. While both players are exceptional talents, Flagg aims to join Williamson as a future first-overall pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. To strengthen his case and validate Williams’ statement, Flagg has the opportunity to shine with an outstanding performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Although North Carolina may not be the powerhouse it once was, they are always a formidable opponent in this fierce rivalry.
