Despite all of the excitement surrounding him as the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Duke Blue Devils standout forward Cooper Flagg may not enter the league this season. Flagg recently stated that he may stay in college for a second season, which would surprise many in the basketball industry.
“Sh—, I want to come back next year,” Flagg said, shocking the social media world.
“I still feel like a kid,” he later answered when asked if he feels more like a college player or a professional athlete. “This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.”media
Flagg has been great so far this season for Duke and leads them in multiple statistics categories. The true freshman currently averages 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
“I still feel like a kid,” he subsequently said when asked if he felt more like a collegiate or professional athlete. “This is the only way I have ever experienced college. That is how I see it. I’m not sure how kids felt previously, or whether this seems different, like being a professional. I mean, high school students are also compensated well. I do not know. I feel fairly normal.”media
Flagg has performed admirably for Duke this season, leading the team in several statistical categories. The true freshman presently averages 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots per game.
Duke has a record of 21-2 and leads the ACC Conference. Much of this is due to Flagg’s performance, thus his return to college next year would dramatically alter how the Blue Devils formed their roster.
Flagg is widely regarded as the consensus favorite to be taken first overall in the 2025 NBA draft. Many NBA scouts like his skill, and some clubs have already begun to tank in order to improve their chances of landing the first overall draft choice.
“I always wanted to play in college at the highest level and compete for a national championship,” the 18-year-old stated in an otherwise subdued interview. “That sort of thing is what I dreamed about.”
If Flagg stayed in college for another season, the draft’s outcome would be completely different. Despite this year’s great class, teams would shift their focus to the 2026 NBA Draft.
While it is doubtful that he will turn down the opportunity to play in the NBA this year and instead return to Duke for his second season, stranger things have happened. Flagg is just 18 years old, therefore he has lots of time to reach the NBA in the future.
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