Why Cooper Flagg Is the Player Driving Duke’s Championship Push…Read More….

Why Cooper Flagg Is the Player Driving Duke’s Championship Push…Read More….

Duke basketball has never lacked star power, but every era is defined by one player who sets the standard. For the 2025–26 season, that player is Cooper Flagg. The highly touted freshman has not only lived up to expectations in Durham—he has exceeded them, emerging as the engine behind Duke’s championship aspirations and the clear centerpiece of Jon Scheyer’s evolving program.

From the opening tip of the season, Flagg’s impact has been unmistakable. At 6-foot-9 with elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and a rapidly developing offensive game, he brings a rare versatility that allows Duke to shape its identity around him. Whether he is scoring from all three levels, protecting the rim, or initiating offense as a secondary playmaker, Flagg consistently influences winning in ways that go far beyond the box score.

Defensively, Flagg has become Duke’s tone-setter. His ability to guard multiple positions gives the Blue Devils a tactical edge, enabling Scheyer to deploy aggressive switching schemes and high-pressure defense. Flagg’s timing as a help defender and shot blocker has anchored Duke’s interior, while his perimeter mobility allows him to neutralize opposing wings. Against top competition, he often draws the toughest assignment, embracing the challenge with a maturity uncommon for a freshman.

Offensively, Flagg’s growth has been just as critical to Duke’s success. While not always the leading scorer, he has become the team’s most reliable option in key moments. His improved shooting touch stretches defenses, opening driving lanes for guards and creating space for Duke’s offense to flow. More importantly, Flagg has shown an advanced feel for the game—knowing when to take over and when to make the extra pass. That balance has helped Duke avoid stagnation late in games, a key factor in close ACC battles.

Leadership is another area where Flagg has made a surprising leap. Despite being one of the youngest players on the roster, he plays with a visible edge and competitive fire that resonates throughout the team. Teammates feed off his energy, and his willingness to do the dirty work—diving for loose balls, battling on the glass, and sprinting back on defense—has set a standard Scheyer wants the program to embody.

As Duke navigates a demanding ACC schedule and looks ahead to March, Flagg’s importance only grows. Championship teams are often defined by players who can impact the game in multiple ways, adapt to different opponents, and rise under pressure. Flagg checks every one of those boxes. NBA scouts may already be projecting his future at the next level, but in the present, his focus is firmly on helping Duke contend for another national title.

In a program rich with history and legendary names, Cooper Flagg is carving out his own place. If Duke makes a deep postseason run, it will be because Flagg is doing what great players do best—driving winning, night after night, when it matters most.