Basketball World Reacts To Cooper Flagg Announcement Before NCAA Tournament

According to Dan Gavitt, Duke star Cooper Flagg is expected to be available for the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 1, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after scoring against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Blue Devils won 100-65. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images / Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Earlier this week, Cooper Flagg suffered an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the ACC Tournament.

The freshman forward is expected to be one of the first two picks in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer.

Via Bleacher Report: "Cooper Flagg will miss ACC Championship with ankle sprain"

Cooper Flagg will miss ACC Championship with ankle sprain pic.twitter.com/sm52mHYa8r

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2025

On Saturday, it was announced that Flagg is expected to be available for the NCAA Tournament later this month.

Via Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports: "Dan Gavitt just said on CBS that Duke/the ACC have communicated to the selection committee that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament."

Dan Gavitt just said on CBS that Duke/the ACC have communicated to the selection committee that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 15, 2025

Many people reacted to the news.

@DaveScarangella: "Hearing Duke tell the NCAA that Cooper Flagg will be ready to play in the NCAA Tournament reminds me of a year ago when we said the same thing about Liz Kitley..."

Hearing Duke tell the NCAA that Cooper Flagg will be ready to play in the NCAA Tournament reminds me of a year ago when we said the same thing about Liz Kitley...

— Dave Scarangella (@DaveScarangella) March 15, 2025

@BlueDevilTalk: "We all already knew, but hearing confirmation that Cooper Flagg will be back next is just great"

We all already knew, but hearing confirmation that Cooper Flagg will be back next is just great 😈

— Dillon Wright (@BlueDevilTalk) March 15, 2025

@shilljennings: "Why is the NCAA announcing that Cooper Flagg will be okay for the NCAA tournament before Duke has said anything definitive? Kind of weird if you ask me"

Why is the NCAA announcing that Cooper Flagg will be okay for the NCAA tournament before Duke has said anything definitive? Kind of weird if you ask me

— Sam HillJennings (@shilljennings) March 15, 2025

@bjvanbeek: "I remember when Kansas communicated that Embiid would be available for the tourney. It never happened."

I remember when Kansas communicated that Embiid would be available for the tourney. It never happened. https://t.co/EFmG35GNM0

— Beau J Van Beek (@bjvanbeek) March 15, 2025

@TheSammoooShow5: "Just so they can get a 1 seed…

And also why is the ACC also speaking for Duke? Something is off."

Just so they can get a 1 seed…

And also why is the ACC also speaking for Duke? Something is off.

— The Sammooo! Show (@TheSammoooShow5) March 15, 2025

@BetMGM: "Cooper Flagg pulling up to the tourney"

Cooper Flagg pulling up to the tourney pic.twitter.com/vMseReBMYV

— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 15, 2025

@WOLF_Sportz: "With Cooper Flagg potentially returning for the NCAA tournament, is Duke officially the National Championship favorite?"

With Cooper Flagg potentially returning for the NCAA tournament, is Duke officially the National Championship favorite? 🏀 👀 https://t.co/VSopBz4tVA

— WOLF Sports (@WOLF_Sportz) March 15, 2025

CBS Sports College Basketball: "NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt provides an update on the @DukeMBB star, who is expected to recover from his ankle injury in time for the NCAA Tournament."

"What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC is that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament."

NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt provides an update on the @DukeMBB star, who is expected to recover from his ankle injury in time for… pic.twitter.com/MGgg8YTuA1

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 15, 2025

Duke will play Louisville for the ACC title on Saturday.