Duke alum Jay Williams believes a national championship could significantly enhance Cooper Flagg’s future.

Thursday marks the official start of March Madness, with the Round of 64 beginning. As the tournament progresses, many players will emerge as key figures on the national stage. Whether they come from small mid-major schools or renowned basketball programs, standout performances in March can shape how players are perceived throughout their careers.

One of the teams aiming for the National Championship is the Duke Blue Devils. Despite the loss of associate head coach Jai Lucas to the Miami Hurricanes, Duke still boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country, featuring a strong group of freshmen. However, the player considered most crucial to their success is Cooper Flagg, who led the team in all five major statistical categories during the season. After suffering an injury during the ACC Tournament, Flagg is expected to return, and former Duke guard Jay Williams believes the NCAA Tournament offers a massive opportunity for Flagg’s future.

“If Duke wins and Cooper Flagg wins, it becomes bigger than just basketball. Then the question is, could he be the face of the league going forward?” – Jay Williams, ESPN analyst.

Williams emphasized that with the NBA’s growing international presence and American stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant nearing the end of their careers, Flagg could position himself as a future NBA icon if he helps lead Duke to a National Championship.

As the tournament begins, Duke is currently favored to win, according to FanDuel, which would secure their sixth National Championship. The team can’t achieve that goal without Flagg, and all eyes will be on how he performs as he recovers from an injury that many believed could end his season.

Despite rumors of his return, Flagg is all but certain to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.