Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Prize Covers Ridiculous Ground in Primetime Clash

Future Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg displayed his length-of-the-floor prowess in a blowout win.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Jonah Hinebaugh-USA TODAY Sports
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On both ends of the court and everywhere in between, Duke basketball signee Cooper Flagg is a Grade A menace whose commanding presence stands out in every game he plays. He proved as much again on Friday night, leading Montverde Academy (Fla.) to an 80-50 victory over Oak Hill (Va.) at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

The 6-foot-9, 200-pound five-star forward, No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, finished with a game-high 25 points, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, 3-for-6 from three, and 2-for-3 at the foul line. He added nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals, five blocks, and only one turnover across his 26 minutes of action.

Sure, Flagg wowed the crowd with the following slash through the lane and emphatic slam:

But the 17-year-old Maine native's top highlight of the night came in the form of one sequence that showcased his relentless effort, impeccable instincts, underrated strength, otherworldly long arms, and undeniable competitive fire on defense and offense.

Have a look at Flagg delivering one steal, two rebounds, two passes, one save, and one score in a span of 16 seconds:

Cooper Flagg is the headliner of the 2024 Duke basketball recruiting class. That said, the collection consists of three other five-star talents, plus one top-shelf four-star, and could grow to include a few more heralded prospects in Blue Devil targets VJ Edgecombe and Khaman Maluach.

Edgecombe, a Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star guard boasting a No. 5 composite ranking, is set to announce his decision at halftime of Sunday afternoon's Hoophall Classic matchup between Flagg's top-ranked Montverde squad and Prolific Prep (Calif.).

Towering Overseas Talent Now Set to Check Out Duke

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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