Blue Devil Country

WATCH: Duke Basketball Recruiting Prize Skies in Season Opener

Future Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg delivered a statement slam in his team's season-opening 90-point win.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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In his opening performance of his senior season at Montverde Academy (Fla.), prized 2024 Duke basketball signee Cooper Flagg previewed what the Blue Devils have in store next year.

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On Monday night, Montverde, ranked No. 1 in the country, posted a 118-28 home win over South Lake. That's not a typo: It was a 90-point victory.

With Montverde leading 46-11 midway through the second quarter, Flagg displayed his ridiculous length, giant hands, top-shelf athleticism, and supreme confidence all in one transition play.

The 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward, a five-star phenom who ranks No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, was revving as he received a pass around the 3-point line. Without using his left hand, Flagg corralled the ball, zoomed past defenders with one step, and took off for the following high-flying thunderous dunk:

Perennial prep powerhouse Montverde has now produced four Blue Devils since 2018: projected 2024-25 one-and-done Cooper Flagg, 2018-19 one-and-done guard RJ Barrett, 2022-23 one-and-done wing Dariq Whitehead, and current freshman forward Sean Stewart.

Flagg is one of five Duke basketball prizes on the 2024 recruiting trail. Together, they comprise the nation's top-ranked class, and each inked his national letter of intent during this month's early signing period.

The other four future Blue Devils are Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel, North Meck (N.C.) five-star forward Isaiah Evans, and a pair of Paul VI Catholic (Va.) teammates in four-star sharpshooting wing Darren Harris and five-star big man Patrick Ngongba II.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting 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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