Durham, North Carolina — After the 6’9″ forward put on an incredible display during Duke’s resounding 68-47 victory over George Mason on Saturday, head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils was unable to conceal his admiration for the rookie wonder Cooper Flagg. Flagg, who has excelled since coming to Durham, demonstrated once more why he is regarded as one of the best young players in college basketball.
Throughout the game, Flagg, who has rapidly made a name for himself as one of the country’s most versatile players, was simply unbeatable. In addition to his exceptional court vision and ability to influence the game on both ends, he ended with a team-high 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The George Mason defense struggled to contain him as his unrelenting energy and skill set were on full show.
“I thought Cooper’s performance tonight was amazing,” Scheyer stated in his postgame interview. Both offensively and defensively, he really set the tone early. He had excellent shot-blocking skills and senior-level glass handling. For someone so young, he has amazing maturity on the floor. He is unique in his ability to play a variety of positions and influence every aspect of the game.
No one who has followed Flagg’s quick ascent was surprised by Scheyer’s compliments. Known for his exceptional rebounding skills, varied scoring, and shot-blocking ability, the Maine native is a matchup nightmare. Flagg’s ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting and score quickly inside helped Duke take a decisive lead against George Mason.
From the first tip, Flagg’s supremacy in the paint was clear. He dominated the game on both ends of the court, making it very difficult for the Patriots to score in the paint. All night long, George Mason was forced into challenging, contested shots because to his defensive reflexes and shot-blocking abilities. Flagg’s offensive play was equally impressive at the same time, as he delivered crucial passes to teammates, finished inside with authority, and made mid-range jumpers. His overall effort served as the impetus for Duke’s dominant display.
Scheyer continued, “Cooper has such a high basketball IQ.” He does more than just block shots and score goals. He is skilled at motivating his teammates and knows when to pass and take control. He knows more about the game than he does. His abilities are remarkable for his age.
All night long, George Mason’s attacking momentum was suppressed by Duke’s defense, which was led by Flagg. George Mason was only able to shoot 35% from the floor and 15 turnovers were forced by the Blue Devils’ defense, which kept the Patriots to 47 points. From the beginning to the conclusion, Flagg’s influence on defense was evident as he changed a number of shots and gave Duke transition opportunities by pushing the ball upcourt and cleaning the glass.
Flagg, a modest rookie, attributed a large portion of the accolades to his teammates and coaching staff. Following the game, Flagg declared, “It’s all about the team.” “We carried out the game strategy while playing together. We’re improving daily thanks to Coach Scheyer’s instruction on how to play both sides of the ball.
Flagg is modest, but his performance showed that he is prepared to become a mainstay for Duke as the season goes on. The Blue Devils, who are currently regarded as one of the best teams in the nation, are already reaping the rewards of Flagg’s special skill set and capacity to inspire others. Everyone will be watching Flagg as he proceeds in Duke’s upcoming games.
Coach Scheyer is simply grateful to have him on his side for the time being. “Tonight served as yet another reminder of Cooper’s exceptional talent.”
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