Cooper Flagg could very likely keep more than his own weight in the NBA today, but by rule he has to be a year removed from high school before he goes pro.
So he chose to go to Duke, and although most people predict that he is a one-and-made, that may not be the case.
In a recent interview with “The Athletic”, Flagg, which is expected to be the choice # 1 in this summer’s NBA draft, made a fantastic proclamation about his basketball future.
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Duke Blue Devils Guard Cooper Flagg (2) looks at before the game against Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome.
“S—, I will return next year,” the beginner said.
“I still feel like a child,” he continued. “That’s the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really didn’t want to know how children felt before and if this feels different if this feels more like being a professional. I thinks it’s the same thing for kids in high school and paid a lot of money.
The 6’9 “Forward has dominated as part of the No. 4 team in the country, on average 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per competition. He has started all his 24 games played this season and shoots 48.3 % from the floor and 37.0% from deep.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) runs as Wake Forest’s Tre’von Players (25) defends during the second half of a NCAA College basketball match in Winston-Salem, NC, on Saturday 25 January 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
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Flagg actually started the college season as a 17-year-old and turned 18 just four days before Christmas. (He is reclassified to study high school a year early.) He was the highest ranked recruits for the class 2024 and received a department I offer from Bryant before even completing middle school.
Newport, Maine, Natives attended Montverde Academy in Florida after playing his first year at Falmouth High School in his home state.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) High-Five’s main coach Jon Scheyer, right, during the second half of a NCAA College Basketball match against North Carolina State in Durham, NC, Monday 27 January 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
It’s pretty uncommon for the top NBA views to spend more than a year in college today, but maybe Nil has changed the game. Once again, it’s fun to stay young, as flags feel.