1. Cooper Flagg (Duke)
There are no surprises at the top of this list, as Flagg isn’t just the top freshman recruit but is playing like one of the best players overall this season. A 6’9 forward from Maine who chose Jon Scheyer and this Blue Devils program, Flagg impacts the game all over the court and is one of the best total frontcourt packages we’ve seen in recent years, willing Duke into this very enviable position.
The Blue Devils are running away with the ACC thanks to Flagg’s 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He actually leads Duke in all of those categories alongside solid defensive play and decent shooting touch both around the rim and outside. While his defensive impact cannot be understated, he’s also had numerous offensive performances. He notably had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Auburn and recently had a season-high 42 points against Notre Dame, helping Duke to a perfect start in league play.
Almost nothing can stop Duke from getting back to the NCAA Tournament, and they don’t look to have much between them and an ACC title this year. Flagg is the catalyst whose aggression on both sides of the ball alongside his talent and versatility will have fans and scouts excited in the coming months. There’s plenty of young talent around him on this Duke squad, with each of them looking to make an impact in March, but Flagg is the name everyone will already know and whom they certainly won’t forget when the NCAA Tournament begins.