Cooper Flag is heading towards NBA Just one season after Duke.
The freshman star took him to social media on Monday to announce his decision to declare a draft in June. He is primarily expected to be the first overall pick.
The Duke Forward Cooper Flag Dunk will face Baylor in the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament held at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 23, 2025. (Zachary Taft-Imagn image)
“It was an incredible year, perhaps the best year of my life.” Flag, 18, said in a video posted to his Instagram. “I am very grateful and feel very blessed with all the opportunities I have been given.”
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
“Duke has always been a dream for me, but I look forward to announce that I will enter my name in 2025 NBA Draft. Today is just the beginning, but I have had a lifelong “brotherly love.” ”
Flag led Duke this season in almost all stats categories including points (709), rebounds (278), assists (155), steel (52) and blocks per game (1.4). He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steel per game, but his best show came in January when he set the ACC Freshman Record with a 42-point performance against Notre Dame.
Duke Forward Cooper Flag will control the ball with Baylor in the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, held at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 23, 2025. (Zachary Taft-Imagn image)
“I’m really proud of Cooper for the special season he had this year. I think the admiration speaks for itself in what he did,” coach John Shayer said in a video posted on the team’s social media. “His highlights, his stats, the way he influenced the game on both ends of the floor, were actually off the charts in all categories.
Flag concluded a remarkable year in the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Tournament, becoming the fourth freshman to be named the winner of the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Award.
Duke Forward Cooper Flag (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Click here to get the Fox News app
The draft lottery is scheduled for next month. Utah Jazz He finishes the season with the worst NBA record and has a 14% chance of winning on the first pick.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s x Sports Coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
