As a first-year player, Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures in sports. The young talent has played a crucial role in guiding the Blue Devils to an impressive 35-3 record, capturing both the ACC regular season and postseason championships, and securing a spot in the Final Four.
Due to NIL opportunities, Cooper Flagg’s outstanding performance has sparked speculation about whether the highly anticipated No. 1 overall draft pick would think about returning to college to play another season with the Blue Devils.
However, once again, it appears that his head coach has completely dismissed the idea. In his appearance on the Dan Patrick Show on Monday afternoon, Jon Scheyer reiterated that Flagg should be moving on from Durham to pursue a professional career after this season.
"I think he's got to take the next dream in his life, and be the top pick in the NBA Draft and start his professional career."
– Duke HC Jon Scheyer on not having a conversation with Cooper Flagg about returning for his sophomore year. pic.twitter.com/mz3pV5977p
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 31, 2025
I believe he needs to pursue the next dream in his life,” Scheyer stated when asked if he had discussed the possibility of Flagg returning for a sophomore season. “He should aim to be the top pick in the NBA Draft and begin his professional career.”
The 37-year-old coach also mentioned that he wouldn’t even entertain a conversation with his standout rookie about such an unrealistic idea. Fortunately for the Blue Devils, Cooper Flagg is still involved with the Duke basketball program for at least one or two more games, as he and the talented team strive to reach the program’s first national championship game in ten years. They will face fellow No. 1 seed Houston in the Final Four at 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday (CBS).
