Blue Devil Country

Huge Duke Basketball Recruit Saves Day for UNC Commit's Squad

Nobody was more clutch than potential Duke basketball prize Cooper Flagg on Saturday night.

Matt Giles

Huge Duke Basketball Recruit Saves Day for UNC Commit's Squad
Huge Duke Basketball Recruit Saves Day for UNC Commit's Squad /
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UNC basketball pledge Ian Jackson is a five-star guard who fell to No. 6 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite following Duke basketball target and longtime Blue Devil fan Cooper Flagg's recent move to 2024 from the 2025 class. Jackson tallied a game-high 45 points as the MVP of Saturday night's SLAM Summer Classic.

But if not for ice in Flagg's veins at the prestigious prep showcase in Harlem's famed Rucker Park, Jackson's Team Ian would have lost to Team Dylan, featuring another 2024 five-star still on Duke's wishlist in crafty guard Dylan Harper. Thanks to Flagg's heroics at the end of regulation, Team Ian survived and won in overtime, 160-153.

The tantalizing Cooper Flagg show began during warmups:

It didn't stop there.

No, evident in the game's top highlight below, Flagg, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward who finished with 25 points in his first highly publicized outing since becoming the new No. 1 in the 2024 class, exhibited no fear down three, 142-139, with the ball in his hands and the clock winding down on Team Ian's chances of winning.

His overtime-forcing self-created contested splash from deep forced the players, patrons, and announcers into a frenzy:

Then in overtime, the Montverde Academy (Fla.) sensation out of Maine had the honor of putting the finishing touch on the victory as folks flooded the court:

Cooper Flagg hasn't named finalists or hinted at an end date in his recruitment. Even so, predictions have piled up in favor of second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang. The 247Sports Crystal Ball is up to five picks, and the Rivals FutureCast contains six, all pointing to the Blue Devils as the clear frontrunner.

Scheyer & Co. entered the fray with an offer in May 2022. Furthermore, the Blue Devils are thus far the only suitors to host him for a visit, which occurred earlier this month, less than two weeks before his reclass announcement.

RELATED: Current Blue Devils Comment on Duke Target's Reclass Announcement

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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