Duke’s Jon Scheyer Praises Cooper Flagg After NBA Draft Declaration
The 2025 NBA Draft picture just got clearer following a major announcement from Duke University. After a standout freshman season, Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg officially declared for the draft on Monday — a move that had been widely anticipated.
Duke capped off its season with an impressive 35-4 record, powered by Flagg alongside teammates Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor. Both Knueppel and Proctor had already declared for the draft, but Flagg’s decision was the most closely watched, as he has long been considered the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick.
Following Flagg’s announcement, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer shared a heartfelt message in a tribute video posted on the team’s official social media accounts.
“I’m really proud of Cooper for the incredible season he had,” Scheyer said. “His accolades speak volumes — sweeping every National Player of the Year award. His stats, his highlight plays, and the impact he had on both ends of the court were simply exceptional. It was one of the best freshman seasons we’ve ever seen here. He excelled in every part of our program.”
The team added in the post: “An absolute winner. Best player in the country. The #1 pick. Cooper Flagg.”
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during his freshman year, while also contributing 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest — making a strong case as the nation’s top player heading into the draft.
