Duke Basketball: Blue Devils hope for perfect scenario with 5-star Cooper Flagg
Class of 2025 prospect Cooper Flagg is reportedly visiting Duke Basketball. Can the Blue Devils not only get a commitment but also reclassify?
Regardless of class, a case can be made that Cooper Flagg is the best college prospect in all of college hoops. He’s a 6’9 forward that is the definition of a “two-way” player, coming off some absurd performances in the Nike Peach Jam this Summer. He went for 38 points and 11 blocks in one single game, along with other similar statistical outbursts.
Right now, every big name in college hoops is after the No. 1 class of 2025 prospect. That includes Duke Basketball, which has plenty of history with landing these kinds of stars. A case can be made that the ACC program is in the driver’s seat in his recruitment. And that’s being driven home with the report that Flagg took an unofficial visit to the Blue Devils this week.
You didn't actually think August would be a slow month for Duke basketball, did you?
— Ball Durham (@Ball_Durham) August 1, 2023
Well, the Blue Devils are starting off the final month of the summer with a bang by hosting Cooper Flagg on an unofficial visit https://t.co/2W5feYJNfc
If you’re Duke, you’ll gladly take Flagg in any year. But if they had a choice, they probably would prefer if the five-star reclassified to the 2024 class and play a year earlier. There are two reasons for that. For the immediate effect, the Blue Devils are almost certainly losing star forward Kyle Filipowski, as well as sophomore forward, Mark Mitchell. Flagg would be a great replacement for them for the 2024-25 season and if the rumors are true that top-5 center recruit Flory Bidunga is leaning towards Duke, that would be an elite frontcourt pairing.
Another reason involves the 2025 class due of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, two five-star forward prospects, with Cameron ranking in the top-3 overall. They’re the sons of former Duke star Carlos Boozer and the Blue Devils are also after them as well. If Flagg were to stay in the 2025 class, it’s hard to envision them all playing together. So if Flagg were to move up (and assumes he’s around for one year), Duke could realistically have all of them when it’s said and done.
Next. 10 biggest recruiting battles for 2024 class. dark
Obviously, it’s still too early for everyone involved to assume that all of the dominos will fall nicely in the favor of Duke Basketball. But it’s not impossible and it’s arguably the biggest recruiting storyline in the sport. Let’s see what Flagg’s next steps are after this visit with the program.