Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Another Prediction Appears in Cooper Flagg Race

Duke basketball recruit Cooper Flagg's planned visits led to another expert forecast.

Matt Giles

Duke Basketball: Another Prediction Appears in Cooper Flagg Race
Duke Basketball: Another Prediction Appears in Cooper Flagg Race /
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Not that anyone should put too much stock into insider predictions before a prep has even revealed a decision date. They're rarely a result of anything more than a hunch as to which way the player may be leaning. But if judging by those alone in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, the Duke basketball staff holds a commanding lead.

RELATED: One More Top-Three Recruit Lands on Blue Devil Wishlist

That perceived advantage only grows stronger.

The sixth 247Sports Crystal Ball pick for Flagg's high-profile recruitment popped up on Thursday afternoon, one day after his mom informed 247Sports' Travis Branham that her son, the No. 1 overall talent in the 2024 class, will take official visits sometime "this fall" to Duke, Kansas, and UConn.

Unlike the two previous Crystal Ball predictions, this one, courtesy of 247Sports Arizona insider Jason Scheer, comes with a "high" level of confidence, matching the first three in that regard. All six have surfaced this month.

So now, between the 247Sports Crystal Ball, On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, and Rivals FutureCast, the total count of Cooper Flagg forecasts is up to 13. They all point to Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang as the favorite to land the coveted Montverde (Fla.) small forward.

And for whatever it's worth, On3 currently gives the recruiting powerhouse in Durham a 98.5 percent chance to come out on top for the 16-year-old Flagg, an admitted Duke basketball enthusiast who has said he models much of his game after his favorite NBA player in Blue Devil treasure Jayson Tatum.

Flagg, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound five-star with next-level abilities as a shot-blocker, rim-runner, outside shooter, ball handler, competitive tone-setter, you name it, recently took an unofficial visit to Duke before announcing his reclassification.

RELATED: List of Every Recruit Currently Holding an Offer From Duke

Although he hasn't named finalists, his upcoming trips could signify a three-team battle between Duke and the two most recent national champions, potentially ending in time for the 2024 cycle's early signing period in November.

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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