What’s Next for Duke Star Cooper Flagg After Final Four Loss?

Duke superstar forward Cooper Flagg will not cap off his stellar freshman season with an NCAA title.

More Duke news: Fans React to Duke’s Final Four Collapse Against Houston

Flagg and the Blue Devils suffered one of the toughest and most heartbreaking college basketball losses one will witness. The Blue Devils, who had a stranglehold on Saturday’s Final Four game against the Houston Cougars, collapsed in the final seconds of the game.

Duke had the game won but allowed nine points in the final 33 seconds of the game, and with that, their 10-year title drought lives on. It was a tough one to swallow and still is, especially for Flagg.

After a dream freshman season, Flagg will now leave Durham without a title but added to his trophy case—or will he? Flagg has yet to make a decision on whether he will stay at Duke for another year or take his talents to the next level, as we all expect him to.

That’s the expectation, and one wouldn’t bat an eye, especially with how he capped off his 2024-25 season.

In the season, Flagg recorded arguably the greatest freshman season of all time for a collegiate player. He was named AP Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-American, Lute Olson Award winner, Julius Erving Award winner, Wayman Tisdale Award winner, ACC Player of the Year, first-team All-ACC, ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive team, and ACC All-Freshman team.

While his future is bright, and he will likely make his way to the NBA this summer, it does feel like he will enter the next chapter of his life a bit unfulfilled.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Flagg touched on his future and the NBA, saying that has been his dream for a long time.

“It would be a blessing for me to get drafted [by any] team in the NBA,” Flagg said Friday. “That’s a dream of mine, to play in the NBA. I would feel completely blessed and honored to play for any team. “

In the Final Four defeat, Flagg delivered a sensational performance, finishing with 27 points, seven boards, four assists, three blocks, and a pair of steals. He became the first player to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in a Final Four matchup since those defensive categories became officially tracked in 1986.

Flagg’s future is bright, and he is set to be the face of a franchise starting next season and beyond.

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