Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Commitment Watch: Predictions Pile Up for Cooper Flagg

A mega Duke basketball recruiting prize could be close at hand.

Matt Giles

Duke Basketball Commitment Watch: Predictions Pile Up for Cooper Flagg
Duke Basketball Commitment Watch: Predictions Pile Up for Cooper Flagg /
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Montverde (Fla.) small forward Cooper Flagg is old enough to be draft eligible in 2025, which has led many to believe the lifelong Duke basketball enthusiast and next-level phenom will wind up moving his high school graduation up to 2024 and enter the college ranks next year.

RELATED: List of Every Recruit Holding a Duke Offer

If that's the case, then Flagg may already be thinking about announcing his commitment. After all, roughly a third of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 cycle are off the board, and many of those who aren't have announced finalists with the intent to pick a school sometime between now and the early signing period in November.

Flagg ranks No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite but would be a strong candidate for the top spot in the weaker-at-the-top 2024 class. And if he makes that jump and soon reveals a winner in his recruitment, there's zero doubt about the frontrunner: Duke.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-8, 200-pound five-star and his family arrived in Durham from Maine for his first college visit. Pictures popped up from his time with the current crop of Blue Devils, including one with him standing in the practice facility alongside his former Montverde teammate in Duke basketball freshman forward Sean Stewart.

Then on Thursday, two experts entered the first 247Sports Crystal Ball picks for Cooper Flagg. Both point to second-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang prevailing, with each pick showing a "high" confidence level.

Meanwhile, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Duke an 86.2 percent chance to come out on top. Furthermore, all five Rivals FutureCast predictions, including a new one on Thursday, now favor the Blue Devils.

Granted, Flagg has over a dozen offers, including several others from big-name programs. Moreover, he hasn't outright expressed being in any hurry to decide.

Nevertheless, given this week's visit, Flagg's no-secret Duke basketball fandom, and all the predictions piling up, it should surprise no one if the ridiculously advanced talent soon pledges allegiance to Scheyer and the Blue Devils.

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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