Duke is, in many ways, reliving the journey of a starlet on the rise. By the end of his freshman season in 2020, Zion Williamson had nothing left to prove as the Naismith College Player of the Year. A No. 1 draft pick in the following months spoke enough of that. But as much as he knew that was the right path down, the forward’s heart remained with the Blue Devils for another year. “I genuinely wanted to go back,” he stresses. Reminds you of someone?
Current freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg is faring no different. The freshman forward is all but confirmed to be the No. 1 draft pick in a few months’ time but Duke calling for second year is ever-so-strong. “S***, I want to come back next year,” he expresses. So if the Blue Devils faithful have a chance to challenge the course years after losing their phenom in Williamson, they are taking it.
“I want to come back next year, I still feel like a kid, this is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it,” the Maine event told The Athletic earlier this season. While that return seems like a remote possibility, there are fans out there who believe there’s a real shot at bringing Cooper Flagg for another season.
One anonymous Blue Devils alumni went so far as to stake a whopping $25K on @FanstakeHQ!
An anonymous Duke alum just staked $25K to convince Cooper Flagg to return to Duke on @FanstakeHQ
https://t.co/TVZUHy2K21 https://t.co/QtZqkzlmxF pic.twitter.com/eOwJzZCNZW
— Zion O. (@DukeNBA) February 21, 2025
For those unaware, Fanstake is a platform that lets fans step in and have a real say in keeping their favorite athletes around. By pledging financial support toward NIL deals, fans can actually help influence where players go and, more importantly, where they stay! And don’t worry, if your stake doesn’t work out, you’re not losing out any money. If the player doesn’t take the deal, you get every penny back!
Call it delusion, call it optimism, but you’ve got to respect how much Duke fans love Cooper Flagg. Averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists to lead the Blue Devils in every other major statistical category — one of the only players to do so — could get you that. And hey, maybe that’s exactly why the freshman is even entertaining the idea of coming back next season! Because if money was the priority, why wouldn’t he just head straight to the NBA?
Under the current NBA rules, rookie scale extensions can go up to 30% of a team’s salary cap. According to Front Office Sports’ calculations, Flagg’s max rookie extension could be a jaw-dropping $398.5 million over five years, which would put him at around $80 million per season!
Only time will tell if Cooper Flagg actually sticks around for another season, but for now, there’s only one thing on his mind—bringing Duke its sixth championship! With March Madness creeping closer, every game counts.
What’s next for Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils
With only five games left in the regular season, Duke is cruising at the top of the ACC with a 15-1 conference record and a 23-3 overall mark. Ranked third in the country, they’ve certainly earned their spot, but let’s be real, dominating a weak ACC doesn’t exactly paint the full picture of what they’ll be up against come March.
They travel to New York to play Illinois Fighting Illini at the iconic Madison Square Garden on 23rd February. All eyes will be on Cooper Flagg who will look to continue to build his case for the NPOY as well. Further considering Illinois hasn’t won 3 of its last 5 games, it’s a good opportunity to dominate.
Naturally, ESPN gives Duke an 80% chance of coming away with a win. But they will need to be aware of freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis who is averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.9% from the field.
Flagg’s desire to return next year is certainly the talk of the town, but one which isn’t likely to happen. Last few weeks may be all that the college hoops fans have got left to savor and Flagg & Co., better make it count.
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