At only 18 years old, he leads Duke in practically every major statistical category, establishing himself as the face of collegiate basketball and a likely future NBA superstar. But it isn’t simply his on-court domination that is breaking records. Off the court, Flagg’s NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) value is exploding, demonstrating that his brand is as exceptional as his game. With sponsorships from New Balance, Gatorade, and Fanatics, his financial potential is as impressive as his highlight-reel dunks.
On February 7, 2025, Flagg’s NIL valuation increased by an astonishing $550,000, bringing his total wealth to a whopping $4.8 million. That makes him the second-most valuable college athlete, after only Texas quarterback Arch Manning. This rise coincided with another stunning performance—his dominance over Syracuse, which extended Duke’s winning streak to 16 games until being interrupted by Clemson on February 9. Flagg’s momentum was unaffected by the loss. The statistics speak for themselves: 19.8 points per game (ranked 17th in the NCAA by ESPN), 7.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting an impressive 48.3% from the floor. His influence extends beyond the stat sheet; his defensive presence, leadership, and playmaking make him a front-runner for National Player of the Year.
And if history is any guide, he is on the verge of something truly extraordinary. Since 1972, when the NCAA permitted freshmen to participate, only two first-year players have received unanimous National Player of the Year honors: Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson. Not even Anthony Davis, who dominated during his one year at Kentucky, could match that achievement. The only other player that came close? Ben Simmons, like Flagg, led his club in almost every statistical category. However, Simmons did not go as far. Flagg isn’t just destined to enter this elite club; he’s almost designed for it.
Look at Duke’s official data, and the narrative tells itself: Flagg leads the team in minutes played, field goal attempts and completions, free throws made and attempted, total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He plays an important role in every aspect. This isn’t simply freshmen domination; it’s a degree of influence over a team uncommon in college basketball. What makes it so impressive? Flagg turned eighteen in December. He should still be in high school, yet here he is, not just playing for Duke, but guiding them to a No. 4 national rating and a genuine opportunity at a national championship.
His only true competition for NPOY is Auburn’s 22-year-old Johni Broome. However, while Broome is undeniably powerful, he lacks Flagg’s degree of impact, adaptability, and marketability. Flagg’s NIL portfolio alone outperforms that of most collegiate athletes, demonstrating that he is more than simply a star—he is a brand.
Then followed another performance that added to his increasing renown. Flagg was more than simply good against California; he was unbeatable. He scored 27 points in Duke’s 78-57 triumph, going 8-for-14 from the floor and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. By halftime, he had 13 points, laying the groundwork for Duke’s dominance. When he finished the game with a reverse breakaway dunk, he even broke a rare smile, probably recognizing at that point how unstoppable his supremacy had become.
Duke Basketball confronts old Blue Devil on Virginia bench.
TJ Power, a one-year Duke basketball player, is generating season figures comparable to his brief stint with the Blue Devils.
Duke basketball (22-3, 14-1 ACC) plays its first of three straight road games against the Virginia Cavaliers (13-12, 6-8 ACC) at 8 p.m. ET Monday (ESPN). TJ Power has never sat on a bench opposite Jon Scheyer and his crew before.
Speaking of Virginia’s bench, the 6-foot-9 Power has been there since early February. Following his 2023-24 Duke rookie season, he watched his minutes steadily fall to zero after his third zero-point outing in a row — his tenth in 21 Cavalier appearances, including five early starts.
Power is averaging 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds for Virginia in 10.4 minutes per game, shooting 20.9 percent from the field, 18.8 percent from three, and 8-for-8 from the charity line.
As a Blue Devil, the former composite five-star prep from Worcester Academy (Mass.) came off the bench in 26 games, averaging 2.1 points and 0.7 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 6-for-7 at the free throw line.
The 2024-25 Blue Devils are 2-1 in ACC games against three of the seven transfers from Duke’s 2023-24 basketball lineup. Most recently, two games after losing on the road to Clemson and Christian Reeves, Scheyer’s team trounced Stanford and Jaylen Blakes 106-70 on Saturday.
ESPN’s newest NBA mock draft has three Duke basketball players among the top seven.
Head coach Jon Scheyer recruited four five-star players in the Class of 2024, headlined by prodigy Cooper Flagg, and the Blue Devils have started three rookies this season
Flagg, whom ESPN’s Jonathan Givony named the best player in the country on Wednesday, has scored at least 20 points in 12 of his 23 collegiate games and improved as a 3-point shooter and offensive facilitator since December 31.
Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, the other first-year starters, have showed signs of being potential superstars in their own way. Knueppel is averaging 15.2 points over his previous 12 games despite not scoring against Boston College, a scoring rate that would increase to 16.5 points without that game, while Maluach posted back-to-back double-doubles against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes last month.
Givony and Jeremy Woo produced a new NBA mock draft on Wednesday morning, and all three aforementioned freshmen were off the board by the seventh pick. See where they (and three other colleagues) ended up below.
2024-25 statistics: 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, 47.9% FG, 36.4% 3PT.
Flagg, the most dynamic player in the country, distinguishes himself from other prospects regarded as generational talents by his ability to become whatever Duke need in a given game. He’s set an ACC rookie record with 42 points in a single game, taken only seven shots in a conference away game owing to increased defensive attention, and handed out four assists in the opening five minutes of a rivalry game against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
2024-25 statistics: 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 72.4% FG
Maluach, who is 7 feet 2 inches tall and with a wingspan of 7 feet 5, has been one of the nation’s top rim protectors since the beginning. On offense, he is effective with the ball in his hands, frequently scoring with one or two dribbles, and his lateral quickness allows him to transition out to the perimeter with ease.
2024-25 statistics: 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 42.1% FG, 39.6% 3PT.
Each Duke squad need an experienced starter to show up in critical occasions, and Proctor has settled into that role nicely. He nailed two huge 3-pointers in the December win against the Auburn Tigers, including one near the halfcourt line at the end of the shot clock, and he scored 16 points before halftime to keep the Blue Devils in the game against the Clemson Tigers.
2024-25 statistics: 7.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 51.2% FG, 37.5% 3PT.
James, to use a cliché, is your favorite basketball player’s favorite basketball player. He’s a Swiss Army knife for head coach Jon Scheyer, as seen by his statistics. He grabbed 11 boards against Virginia Tech, eight assists against SMU, and 13 points in two straight games against NC State and the Tar Heels.
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