If Cooper Flagg declares the NBA draft, he would immediately become the favorite to be the first overall choice.
However, Flagg has said he will return and a former top committee wants him to do just that.
Larry Johnson, the first overall election of the 1991 NBA draft, said Flagg should remain “one year more” on Duke.
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Duke Blue Devils Forward Cooper Flagg cuts the web after winning the 2025 ACC Championship Game against Louisville Cardinals at the Spectrum Center. (Jim Dedmon/Imag- Pictures)
“It’s hard to reject that money when you know you’re getting # 1, but he’s on a fantastic program, Duke,” Johnson told TMZ Sports.
“To return to Duke and spend a year more, you just have to get them into skills a little more. I think it would be a pretty good idea. But again, knowing that you will be # 1 coming out as a beginner, it would be difficult to reject.”
Johnson also denied that Idea Flagg would risk an injury if he stayed in college, which could affect his draft stock.
“You can get hurt doing something,” he said.
Johnson had an opportunity to go out on a high note. He was on his way to the NBA after winning the national championship with UNLV in 1990, but he returned for one more year.
Duke Blue Devils Forward Cooper Flagg responds in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. (Bob Donnan/Imag photos)
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Returning to his senior year did not change its way much. He still went first to Charlotte Hornets the next season.
Despite his rebels losing in Final Four in his last season with the team, Johhson had no regret.
“Damn no,” he said.
In February, flagg said he “will[ed] to come back ”to Duke.
“I want to return next year,” the beginner said. “I still feel like a child. It’s the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really didn’t want to know how kids felt before and if this feels different if this feels more like being a professional. I mean it’s the same for high school kids to get a lot of money. I don’t know.”
Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) High-Five’s main coach Jon Scheyer in the second half against North Carolina State in Durham, NC, January 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Flagg and Blue Devils take Houston on Saturday’s Final Four at. 20.49 one in San Antonio.
Flagg, which returned from an ankle injury he sustained in the ACC tournament, average 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the tournament, talk similar to what he sent during the regular season.
