Duke Coach Makes Bold Cooper Flagg Statement Before March Madness

Jon Scheyer spoke about Duke star Cooper Flagg before the NCAA Tournament.

Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer talks with guard Cooper Flagg (2) against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Last week, the Duke Blue Devils won the ACC Championship over Louisville by a score of 73-62.

However, they were playing without their best player (Cooper Flagg) who got injured on March 13.

Cooper Flagg exited the game and was helped to the locker room after appearing to injure his left ankle in the first half against Georgia Tech. pic.twitter.com/EiUslVt0ZM

— ESPN (@espn) March 13, 2025

With the NCAA Tournament coming up for Duke on Friday, the status of Flagg has been a hot topic.

Earlier this week, Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer spoke about the NBA prospect.

Scheyer (via ESPN's SportsCenter): "From my perspective, it's full steam ahead. I want to get Coop back as quickly as we can, and he wants to do the same... Our goal is for Friday. No question about it. I know that's his goal as well."

Duke fans will likely enjoy hearing the encouraging words from their head coach.

Duke men's basketball head coach Jon Scheyer says it’s “full steam ahead” for Cooper Flagg and the goal is to have him play in the tournament on Friday 💪 pic.twitter.com/vIRGFzljRy

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 17, 2025

Flagg finished his freshman season with averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 48.8% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point range in 32 games.

Via ESPN's Jonathan Givony on February 12: "Cooper Flagg has put a stranglehold on the No. 1 pick conversation, exploding in ACC play emerging as the best player in college basketball despite recently turning 18."

Cooper Flagg has put a stranglehold on the No. 1 pick conversation, exploding in ACC play emerging as the best player in college basketball despite recently turning 18. pic.twitter.com/yvn3vmgksr

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 12, 2025

Flagg was also named an All-American (on Wednesday).

Via NCAA March Madness: "🚨 AP All-America First-Team 🏀 Johni Broome 🏀 Cooper Flagg 🏀 Mark Sears 🏀 Walter Clayton Jr. 🏀 Braden Smith"

🚨 AP All-America First-Team

🏀 Johni Broome
🏀 Cooper Flagg
🏀 Mark Sears
🏀 Walter Clayton Jr.
🏀 Braden Smith pic.twitter.com/x1hBc10Wu2

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2025

Duke finished the season with a 31-3 record in 34 games.

They were also a perfect 17-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.