Blue Devil Country

Cooper Flagg Delivers Two Crazy Blocks in Duke Basketball Exhibition

The projected No. 1 overall draft pick came out flying for Jon Scheyer's third Duke basketball squad.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Cooper Flagg
Duke basketball forward Cooper Flagg / Rodd Baxley/The Fayetteville Observer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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In Cooper Flagg's first handful of minutes as a starter in the 2024-25 Duke basketball team's exhibition opener versus the Division II Lincoln (Pa.) Lions in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the 6-foot-9, 205-pound phenom forward tallied four points and two assists while shooting 2-for-2 from the floor.

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But what stood out in the mere 17-year-old Maine native's opening minutes were his advanced instincts and top-shelf flight in tracking down two sensational blocks on defense.

The Duke basketball social media team first posted the following highlight from his go-go-gadget closeout swat of a 3-point attempt:

And then there was this pin-on-backboard rejection courtesy of the preseason All-ACC First Team selection after sneaking up from behind on the Lions' futile transition attack:

Within a few minutes of returning to the court midway through the first half, Flagg drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key before knocking down a smooth pull-up jumper, drawing a foul, and sinking the and-one free throw.

At least through Cooper Flagg's first handful of minutes wearing a Duke basketball jersey against an opponent, it's safe to say the hype surrounding the long-limbed standout's versatility is nothing short of 100 percent legit.

At the time of this article's publishing, the Blue Devils led the Lions, 45-28, with 5:29 remaining in the half.

ALSO READ: Duke Transfer Responds to Coach With Zero-Pressure Threes

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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