He won a national title as a player in 2010, and then again as an assistant coach for the famous Mike Krzyzewski five years later, in 2015.

Even during his little time as Durham’s head coach, Scheyer has mentored a lot of exceptional players. However, in his third season as head coach of the Blue Devils, he is dealing with a player unlike any other he has coached before. Scheyer openly stated this about freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who has emerged as probably the finest player in college basketball in only his first season.

Flagg has helped Duke move to No. 2 in the rankings, win 14 consecutive games heading into Saturday’s game against North Carolina (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and led the Blue Devils to an ACC record of 10-0. All of this and more has made an indelible mark on his head coach, who was asked by ESPN’s Jay Bilas, a former Duke star himself, if he had ever coached a player like Flagg before.

“No. Cooper’s different,” Scheyer told ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday morning. “He has an excellent sense of how to win.” The important plays in pivotal occasions during the year were off the hook.

https://twitter.com/CollegeGameDay/status/1885728756184105136

Scheyer said that Duke’s coaches have to persuade Flagg to take more responsibility in games since he is so unselfish. At the end of the day, we’re most effective when Cooper is in attack mode,” Scheyer stated.

Flagg has started each of the Blue Devils’ 20 games this season.

He averages 19.9 points, 8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while playing 31.8 minutes. Flagg averages 48.7% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range.

NCAA Verified: Cooper Flagg, a freshman with the Duke Blue Devils, is named the 2025–2026 NCAA Draft Class’s G.O.A.T.

In a historic announcement, the NCAA has officially named Duke Blue Devils freshman Cooper Flagg as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of the 2025-26 NCAA Draft Class. A highly regarded recruit who has been on scouts’ radar since his high school days, Flagg has now cemented his status as the top prospect in the country.

After an exceptional high school career, Flagg chose to play for Duke, and he has already captivated coaches, analysts, and fans with his outstanding skill set and high basketball IQ. At 6’8″, he possesses a rare blend of size, agility, and playmaking ability, making him not just a future NBA star but a once-in-a-generation talent. His ability to score from anywhere on the floor, dominate defensively, and lead his team has set him apart, and the NCAA’s decision to recognize him as the G.O.A.T. of his class only reinforces his immense potential.

The announcement has sparked excitement among Duke fans and basketball enthusiasts, who are eagerly anticipating his collegiate debut. Flagg’s arrival in Durham is expected to mark the start of a legendary college career, with experts already drawing comparisons to some of the greatest players in NCAA history. Many believe he is destined to be a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

As the 2025-26 season nears, all eyes will be on Flagg. Carrying the weight of the G.O.A.T. title, he faces high expectations, but if his past performances are any indication, he is more than prepared to rise to the occasion.

Jon Scheyer Sweeps Coaching Awards in Historic Milestone Season

Breaking: Duke’s Cooper Flagg Makes History as ACC Rookie and Player of the Year

DURHAM, N.C. — In a remarkable feat, Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has been named both the ACC Rookie of the Year and the ACC Player of the Year—an extraordinary double honor that places him in elite company.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Maine has dazzled college basketball fans all season with his elite skillset, athleticism, and high basketball IQ, becoming a driving force behind Duke’s success under head coach Jon Scheyer. A projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg’s dominance in the ACC has been unmatched.

Flagg averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game while showcasing two-way excellence. Offensively, he proved to be a versatile scorer and unselfish playmaker. Defensively, he anchored Duke with his shot-blocking and ability to guard across positions.

More than just numbers, Flagg’s poise and leadership in high-pressure moments helped Duke secure a top seed for the NCAA Tournament. His maturity and relentless work ethic earned praise from coaches and media alike, with Coach Scheyer calling him “a leader and a transformational player.”

Flagg becomes the first freshman in ACC history to claim both major individual honors in the same season, setting a new precedent for excellence. As Duke enters March Madness, all eyes remain on the freshman star whose impact continues to grow.

Duke is the early favorite to win the 2026 NCAA title.

Despite Flagg’s Expected Departure, Duke Opens as 2026 Title Favorite

Even with superstar freshman and national player of the year Cooper Flagg likely headed to the NBA, sportsbooks still consider Duke the frontrunner to win the 2026 NCAA championship.

The Blue Devils finished the 2024–25 season with an impressive 35–4 record, falling just short of the title game after a heartbreaking 70–67 loss to Houston in the Final Four. Still, betting markets remain bullish on Duke’s future.

As of Monday, BetRivers, FanDuel, and DraftKings all listed Duke as the early favorite to win next year’s championship at +1000 odds.

Houston and Florida Among Top Contenders

Houston, which fell to Florida 65–63 in the national championship game, sits just behind Duke in the odds. The Cougars were posted at +1200 by DraftKings and FanDuel, and +1300 by BetRivers. Meanwhile, national champion Florida came in at +2500 across all three platforms, likely due to the departure of All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., who is entering the NBA Draft.

Several other programs are expected to contend for the 2026 crown. DraftKings lists UConn at +1400, BYU at +1600, St. John’s and Purdue at +1800, and Kansas, Arkansas, and Kentucky at +2000.

FanDuel shows Louisville and Purdue at +1400, Kansas and BYU at +1600, with UConn, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn each at +1800.

At BetRivers, Arkansas, Louisville, Purdue, and BYU are tied at +1400, followed by UConn (+1700), and Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn all at +1800.

BYU’s Rising Stock

BYU’s strong odds are fueled by their blockbuster signing of AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-9 phenom chose the Cougars over blue bloods like Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama back in December.

As offseason movement begins and rosters take shape, expect these odds to continue evolving—but for now, Duke remains the team to beat, even without Flagg.

“Teen Spirit, Grown Game: Cooper Flagg Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Freshman Season”

“I’m definitely getting one too,” Flagg said with a smile, showing that despite everything, he’s still very much a teenager at heart.

But while he may still be a kid off the court, his play has been anything but youthful. From the moment of his college debut, the 18-year-old has played with a maturity far beyond his years—scoring, rebounding, facilitating, and defending at an elite level. He embraced the enormous expectations that came with being the likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and quickly became the engine behind Duke’s title push, leading with intensity and poise.

That dominance is why Flagg was named the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year on Friday—just the fourth freshman to ever receive the honor in its 64-year history.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, edged out Auburn standout Johni Broome in what was essentially a two-man race. Both were unanimous first-team AP All-Americans and the only players to receive votes for the award, but Flagg earned a commanding 41 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 media panel members.

He joins an elite group of freshman winners: Duke’s Zion Williamson (2019), Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (2012), and Texas’ Kevin Durant (2007)—all of whom went on to be top-two picks in the NBA Draft. Flagg also becomes the eighth Duke player to win the award, the most of any program.

Around 15 friends and family traveled to San Antonio to support Flagg during his press conference. His Duke teammates and coaches were there too, with head coach Jon Scheyer beaming proudly and teammates cheering from the back row.

“He plays with incredible intensity, he’s selfless, and he’s clearly gifted,” Scheyer said after Duke’s final home game. “He’s a special player, and an even better teammate.”

Following what is probably the last game with Duke, Jon Scheyer gives Cooper Flagg a clear message.

The Duke Blue Devils capped off a strong season with a Final Four appearance, but it ended in heartbreak Saturday night as they surrendered a 14-point second-half lead to the Houston Cougars, losing 70-67 despite controlling much of the game.

The loss likely signals the end of Cooper Flagg’s college career following a standout freshman season. The projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Flagg said Friday that being selected by any NBA team would be a dream come true. “It would be a blessing for me to get drafted by any team in the NBA,” Flagg said. “That’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”

Though he hasn’t made an official announcement, Flagg’s departure seems imminent, especially with Duke’s season ending just hours before. On Sunday morning, he received the prestigious Naismith Trophy for National Player of the Year — further cementing his legacy.

At the ceremony, head coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg’s incredible freshman year and the impact he’s had on the program. “We didn’t get much sleep last night, but I don’t want that to take away from what Cooper accomplished this season,” Scheyer said. “He’s been a joy to coach — historic on the court and a phenomenal teammate. Last night, he put us on his back with 27 points. We came up just short, but I couldn’t be prouder.”

Flagg led Duke across the board this season — topping the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from three, and 84% from the free-throw line.

Though Flagg once hinted he might return for another year, that now appears unlikely. Scheyer reinforced that belief on March 31 during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, saying, “I think it’s time for him to chase the next dream — being the No. 1 pick and beginning his NBA career.”

BLAME GAME: Is Cooper Flagg Unjustly Held Responsible for Duke’s Difficult Loss?

Is Cooper Flagg Being Unfairly Blamed for Duke’s Final Four Loss?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Following Duke’s heartbreaking 76-70 loss to Houston in the Final Four, questions are swirling about what went wrong — and many of them are aimed squarely at Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom, once touted as the driving force behind Duke’s championship hopes, is now under intense scrutiny after a late-game performance that didn’t live up to expectations.

A Disappointing Finish for Flagg

Flagg, who has been central to Duke’s offense throughout the tournament, finished the game with 12 points. However, his struggles in the final minutes — including missed shots and turnovers — have led to criticism from fans and media alike. As the face of the program and a projected NBA lottery pick, Flagg was expected to deliver in crunch time, and when he didn’t, some began to pin the loss on him.

One fan vented on social media, “Flagg didn’t play like the superstar we were promised. He disappeared when it mattered most.”

But It Wasn’t Just Flagg

Despite the criticism, Duke’s defeat wasn’t solely on Flagg. The Blue Devils as a whole faltered down the stretch. Their offense stalled, the defense couldn’t stop Houston’s momentum, and key players like fellow freshman Jayson Adams also struggled to produce. The loss was the result of a total team breakdown, not one player’s performance.

Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized that after the game: “This wasn’t just on Cooper. We all failed to execute. It’s a tough one, but we’ll grow from it.”

Mounting Pressure on a Young Star

Flagg entered college basketball under a massive spotlight, with comparisons to past Duke greats and NBA legends. At just 18, he was expected to carry a storied program on his back. That pressure was bound to weigh heavily, especially in high-stakes moments like the Final Four.

Some, like former Blue Devil and NBA analyst Grant Hill, believe the criticism is unfair. “He’s still a freshman,” Hill said. “It’s not right to place the blame entirely on him. The whole team struggled.”

Looking Ahead

While the loss was undoubtedly painful, it’s far from the end of the road for Flagg. He remains one of the top talents in college basketball and is still projected to be a high pick in the NBA Draft. Teammates like Tyrese Proctor have voiced their support, insisting that Flagg is still their leader.

“We’re behind Cooper 100 percent,” Proctor said. “This one game doesn’t define what he’s done this season.”

As the dust settles and Duke begins to regroup, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg’s story is just beginning. His response to adversity will shape not only the remainder of his college career but also how he’s remembered long term — not a single tough night in March.