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Jayson Tatum Commends Duke’s Cooper Flagg Amid NCAA Tournament Run
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics star and former Duke player, recently expressed his admiration for current Duke standout Cooper Flagg, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness Flagg brings to the court.
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast, Tatum noted, “My first impression of Coop was how hard he plays and how competitive he is.” He pointed out that it’s uncommon for a high school player to actively seek out the challenge of guarding the opponent’s best player and to display such relentless effort in blocking shots and rebounding.
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Flagg, a forward for the Duke Blue Devils, showcased his skills during the recent NCAA Tournament match against the Baylor Bears, contributing significantly to his team’s victory. Tatum first witnessed Flagg’s talent two years ago at his summer camp, noting Flagg’s exceptional basketball IQ. “He has a great feel for the game. He understands how to set a screen, when to make cuts, and always looks to involve his teammates. This has all been demonstrated throughout the season and is a major factor in Duke’s championship aspirations,” Tatum remarked.
Flagg’s performance has been instrumental for the Blue Devils, who currently boast a 33-3 record and have advanced to the Sweet 16 of the tournament. As a consensus All-American this season, Flagg’s averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game have positioned him as a front-runner for Player of the Year honors.
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Despite dealing with an ankle injury sustained during Duke’s victory over Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament quarterfinals—causing him to miss the remainder of that tournament—Flagg returned to action in the NCAA tournament. He made an immediate impact in Duke’s commanding 93-49 win against Mount St. Mary’s, recording 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a block in just 22 minutes of play.
In the second round against Baylor, he further demonstrated his abilities with 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one block over 29 minutes as Duke triumphed 89-66.
Duke looks to Flagg as they head into the Sweet 16, where they will face off against the fourth-seeded Arizona on Thursday at 9:40 p.m. ET.
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Reflecting on his own collegiate journey, Tatum, who attended Duke for a single season in 2016-2017, shared his disappointment at not securing a championship during his time there. He averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 29 games before being selected third overall by the Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Tatum has devoted his entire eight-season NBA career to the Celtics, earning six All-Star selections and playing a pivotal role in the team’s successful title run last season.
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