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Cooper Flagg’s Status Looms Large for Duke Blue Devils in NCAA Tournament

The availability of Cooper Flagg, star forward for the Duke Blue Devils, has become a focal point as the team prepares for the NCAA Tournament, where they are the No. 1 seed in the East Region.

Flagg sustained a left ankle injury during the ACC quarterfinals against Georgia Tech, and he has not participated in any games since then. Despite Flagg’s injury concerns and teammate Maliq Brown’s dislocated shoulder, Duke emerged victorious as ACC champions, solidifying their top seed.

Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg, #2, celebrates by cutting down the net after their ACC Conference Championship win against the Louisville Cardinals at Spectrum Center.

Jalen Rose, a notable figure in college basketball, discussed the implications of Flagg’s injury with Fox News Digital, emphasizing that Duke’s competitive edge would diminish significantly without their standout player. “It’s the NCAA Tournament; without your best player — likely the number one pick in the [2025 NBA] Draft — it changes the dynamics,” Rose remarked. “Duke could face challenges if Flagg isn’t able to return.”

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Flagg’s contribution to the team’s success cannot be overstated. He currently leads the squad in several key statistical categories, including scoring (18.9 points per game), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.1), and steals (1.5).

However, according to Rose, there is a critical balance the team must navigate. “It’s essential to avoid rushing Flagg back onto the court. They wouldn’t want him to play limited minutes or have an early exit from the tournament,” he stated. “This is why Duke recruits a wealth of top-tier talent; the team must step up in his absence until he can return.”

Following Duke’s 73-62 victory over Louisville to claim the ACC Tournament title, head coach Jon Scheyer expressed optimism regarding Flagg’s condition. “It’s looking promising; I believe Cooper will be ready for the NCAA Tournament,” Scheyer shared.

If Flagg is cleared to play, it would be a significant boost for the Blue Devils as they gear up to face the winner of the “First Four” matchup between American and Mount St. Mary’s on Friday at 2:50 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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