Report: Fantastic news about Duke’s Cooper Flagg.

Ranking the Top Freshmen in College Basketball: Duke’s Cooper Flagg Shines Once Again

Duke’s freshman phenom Cooper Flagg continues to dominate, earning his third Freshman of the Week award after a historic performance in an 86-78 win over Notre Dame. Flagg shattered the ACC freshman single-game scoring record, dropping a career-high 42 points. This incredible effort extended Duke’s winning streak to 10 games and marked Flagg’s fourth consecutive game with at least 19 points. Earlier in the week, he notched double-doubles in victories over Pitt and SMU, but his standout moment came against Notre Dame, where he added seven assists and six rebounds to his 42-point explosion.

Flagg has made a habit of rewriting Duke’s record books in his debut season. He currently leads the team in every major statistical category—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. His 42-point game also made him the first Duke player to score 40 or more points since JJ Redick achieved the feat in 2006 against Virginia.

Freshman of the Week: Cooper Flagg, Duke

For the third time this season, Flagg has earned Freshman of the Week honors. His stellar performance against Notre Dame has solidified him as a top candidate for Player of the Year, particularly with Auburn’s Johni Broome sidelined due to injury. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has impressed with his scoring versatility and defensive skills, consistently setting himself apart as one of the nation’s brightest young stars.

Previous Freshman of the Week Winners

• Nov. 12: Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
• Nov. 19: Joson Sanon, Arizona State
• Nov. 26: Labaron Philon, Alabama
• Dec. 3: Dylan Harper, Rutgers
• Dec. 10: Cooper Flagg, Duke
• Dec. 17: Liam McNeeley, UConn
• Dec. 24: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
• Jan. 1: Ian Jackson, North Carolina
• Jan. 8: Cooper Flagg, Duke

Frosh Watch: Ranking the Top 5 Freshmen

1. Cooper Flagg | G/F | Duke
   • Stats: 19.1 PPG | 8.3 RPG | 3.9 APG
     Flagg remains at the top after his 42-point masterpiece against Notre Dame, which included a career-best four 3-pointers. Duke is now 6-0 in ACC play, its best start since the 2007-08 season.
2. Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers
   • Stats: 20.1 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 4.4 APG
     Despite a flu-stricken loss to Purdue, Harper rebounded with 18 points in a pivotal win over UCLA, helping Rutgers end a three-game Big Ten losing streak.
3. Kasparas Jakučionis | G/F | Illinois
   • Stats: 16.4 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 5.4 APG
     Jakučionis contributed 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds in a victory over Washington but missed games against Penn State and USC due to injury.
4. Ace Bailey | G/F | Rutgers
   • Stats: 18.9 PPG | 7.6 RPG | 1.1 SPG
     Bailey recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in the win over UCLA.
5. Ian Jackson | G | North Carolina
   • Stats: 14.9 PPG | 3.4 RPG | 0.6 APG
     Jackson has been a key contributor for the Tar Heels, averaging over 18 points in his last six games and playing significant minutes during North Carolina’s three-game win streak.

Flagg’s performances continue to set him apart from his peers, solidifying his place as one of the most electrifying freshmen in college basketball. His relentless contributions make him not only the leader among freshmen but also a standout on the national stage.