Cooper Flagg Wins 2025 Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Award
Duke star Cooper Flagg added to his overflowing trophy cabinet Sunday, earning the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Award.
He's the fourth freshman to win the award, joining Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson.
Auburn center Johni Broome, Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. and Purdue guard Braden Smith were the other finalists.
In addition to being a first-team All-American, Flagg has received the Wooden Award and the Julius Erving Award, the latter being reserved for the nation's best small forward.
Before he ever stepped onto the court for the Blue Devils, the 6'9" forward was presented as not only the top talent in the 2024 recruiting class but also the kind of prospect who could anchor an NBA franchise.
The 18-year-old was exactly as advertised and perhaps even better. In 37 appearances, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks. He shot 48.1 percent overall and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
With Flagg at the fore, Duke pulled off an ACC regular-season and conference tournament double before making its first Final Four run under head coach Jon Scheyer.
The Blue Devils' year came to a bitterly disappointing end Saturday night as they squandered a six-point lead inside the final minute to lose 70-67 to Houston.
Still, there's no disputing the fact Flagg was the biggest standout in men's basketball, and he earned a place alongside the greats who once called Cameron Indoor Stadium home.
From here, it's only a matter of time before Flagg earns another notable distinction as he's the heavy favorite to go first overall in the 2025 NBA draft. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected him to be the No. 1 pick to the Utah Jazz, writing that "there's little left to say about Flagg's versatility, rapidly-evolving skill level, competitiveness and ability to take games into his own hands."
Maybe Flagg has some unfinished business thanks to the nature of Duke's exit from the Big Dance. Otherwise, he has nothing left to prove at the college level.
