Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Centerpiece Cooper Flagg Announces Next Move

Duke basketball enthusiasts no longer have any excuse to entertain the delusion of a sophomore season from the nation's best player.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball
Duke basketball | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

As of Monday morning, three members of the 2024-25 Duke basketball team have officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. The latest to do so is freshman phenom forward Cooper Flagg, joining the two who announced their moves last week in rookie guard Kon Knueppel and junior guard Tyrese Proctor.

ALSO READ: UNC Lands in Top Five for Former Duke Recruiting Prize

Of course, Flagg's decision to forego his remaining three years of college eligibility to pursue his professional dreams should come as no surprise. After all, the 18-year-old Maine native became the Naismith Player of the Year, not to mention a long list of other top-shelf accolades, and has long appeared as this summer's projected No. 1 overall pick on just about every big board.

Even so, as days went by without a formal announcement from Flagg, some Duke basketball faithful on social media began to fantasize that there could be even the slightest chance of his return to Durham next season.

Nope. Although some part of Flagg probably wanted to run it back with the Blue Devils, his NBA-ready game surely all but slammed the door on that option a long time ago.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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