Blue Devil Country

Top Threat to Duke Basketball in Cooper Flagg Race

One insider suggests a recent national champ is Duke basketball's No. 1 challenger for Cooper Flagg.

Matt Giles

Top Threat to Duke Basketball in Cooper Flagg Race
Top Threat to Duke Basketball in Cooper Flagg Race /
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Montverde Academy (Fla.) rising junior Cooper Flagg grew up a Duke basketball fan. He's confirmed that in countless interviews. His "dream offer" from the Blue Devils arrived in May 2022, placing him and the 2025 class' Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, among the earliest offer recipients in program history.

So second-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff should have a Flagg commitment locked up, right? Not so fast.

On Tuesday, 247Sports' Kevin Flaherty summarized the 6-foot-8, 200-pound phenom's emergence as arguably the nation's most gifted prep. Then in detailing the status of Flagg's recruitment, which has recently drawn more big-name suitors despite Scheyer's perceived advantage, Flaherty projected UConn as Duke's top foe.

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And Flaherty reminded folks that even the Blue Devils have yet to earn a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction in the race (not the case in the Rivals FutureCast, where all four picks favor Duke):

"Everyone is trying to get in with Flagg, but nobody is far enough ahead that they've picked up a 247Sports Crystal Ball. However, don't be surprised if his recruitment comes down to Duke versus defending national champion UConn. UConn is coming off winning the NCAA Tournament and is closer to home...Duke, on the other hand, has coach Jon Scheyer. He is arguably college basketball's best recruiter, and he has made Flagg a priority."

Of course, UConn has a history of leaving the Duke basketball program feeling crushed (replay their 1999 national title bout and 2004 Final Four matchup).

But the Huskies haven't often posed much of a threat to the Blue Devils in the recruiting arena. On the other hand, since 2019, sixth-year UConn head coach Dan Hurley and his crew have only once landed outside the top 25 in the class rankings and finished with a staff-best No. 6 haul in 2023.

In other words, the Huskies are no recruiting slouches, particularly now that they have the most recent national championship in tow.

Flaherty briefly mentioned the reclass chatter in Cooper Flagg's recruitment. Consider that the 16-year-old, born in December 2006, would be eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft if he graduates high school in 2024. However, it's also important to note that Flagg hasn't even mentioned the possibility of moving up a grade, at least not publicly.

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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