Duke freshman star Cooper Flagg will miss the ACC Tournament Championship due to an ankle sprain sustained in Thursday’s win over Georgia Tech, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. He also sat out Duke’s semifinal victory over North Carolina. The Blue Devils will face either Clemson or Louisville in Saturday’s title game after narrowly securing their spot in the final.
On Friday, Duke nearly squandered a 24-point lead against North Carolina, but a crucial lane violation by UNC’s Jae’Lyn Withers on a potential game-tying free throw helped the Blue Devils hold on for the win.
The officials gave Duke possession, and freshman Kon Kneuppel sealed the win with two free throws. While Cooper Flagg couldn’t contribute on the court, he brought plenty of energy from the sidelines, passionately supporting his teammates. His absence in Saturday’s championship game isn’t unexpected, as head coach Jon Scheyer appeared cautious about playing the ACC Player of the Year again after his injury on Thursday.
“To be honest with you, I would have to be convinced by everyone in the locker room when I go back that he should play. It’s not worth it. It just isn’t,” Scheyer said, per The Athletic‘s Brendan Marks.
Cooper Flagg’s absence is a major blow for Duke, as he has been a key contributor this season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.
In the midst of a remarkable freshman season, Cooper Flagg is a leading candidate for the National Player of the Year Award. Following Duke’s 82-69 victory over North Carolina in the regular-season finale, head coach Jon Scheyer shared his thoughts on the race.
“For me, it’s Cooper,” Scheyer said last Saturday. “That’s not to discredit anyone—we played [Auburn star Johni] Broome, and he’s a great player—but Cooper impacts every aspect of the game in a way we haven’t seen in college for a long time.”
“He affects the game in every possible way, and tonight was a perfect example,” Scheyer said. “But that’s not what Cooper plays for, and it’s not what we focus on. Recognition is always appreciated, but we’ll stay focused on what we can control—that’s all we can do.”
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