Tag: Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg faces Carlos Boozer’s son in Chipotle Nationals on Friday afternoon

Cooper Flagg, the Duke signee and top recruit in the Class of 2024, faces off with the son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer in the Chipotle Nationals semifinals on Friday.

Cooper Flagg, the five-star Duke signee and the top overall recruit in the Class of 2024, has already had an eventful week. He helped lead the East team to a comeback win in the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday night before he scored 16 points in a quarterfinal victory on Thursday night at Chipotle Nationals.

The future Blue Devil won’t slow down on Friday, however, as he and Montverde Academy take on Cameron Boozer and Columbus High School.

Boozer, the son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer, is the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2025. He scored 20 points and contributed 10 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in a 71-58 victory over Long Island Lutheran in the quarterfinals.

The 6-foot-9 forward has yet to commit to a school, but the Blue Devils have extended him an offer.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m.

WATCH: Cooper Flagg gets way above the rim in viral McDonald’s All-American Game block

Five-star Duke signee Cooper Flagg got his hand a full foot above the rim in a viral block during Tuesday’s McDonald’s All-American game.

In case anyone needed a reminder, Duke signee Cooper Flagg can jump.

The 6-foot-9 Montverde Academy product is the No. 1 ranked player in the Class of 2024, and plays like his viral block during the McDonald’s All-American Game reminds everyone why.

During the second quarter of the East’s comeback win on Tuesday night, the West’s Dylan Harper tried to lay in a floater near the paint. Flagg had none of it.

The future Blue Devil elevated, his hand getting more than a foot above the rim. In fact, the top of his head was nearly level with the basket by the apex of his jump, and he swatted the ball into the East bench behind Harper.

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Obviously, every player at the All-American game is a standout, but Harper isn’t a nobody among them. The Rutgers commit is the third-ranked player in the class.

Flagg ended the game with eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.

The best looks at Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans from the McDonald’s All-American Game

Check out some of the best photos of Duke signees Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans from the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Duke’s 2024 recruiting class is making headlines before the 2023-24 season has even drawn to a close, and five-star signees Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans are two big reasons why.

The duo helped lead the East team to a comeback victory in the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday night, with Flagg offering eight points, six rebounds, and three assists to the victorious effort.

Both players also talked about next year’s expectations and threw some barbs at North Carolina during the week, showing they are both ready to go for the 2024-25 season.

Here are some of the best photos of them from this week’s game and festivities.

Cooper Flagg says 2024-25 Duke team has ‘the chance to do something really special’

With the No. 1 overall recruit and three other five-stars coming to Durham next season, 2024-25 could be a special year in Cooper Flagg’s eyes.

The 2024-25 Duke basketball season has a chance to be memorable, according to the Blue Devils top signee Cooper Flagg.

In an article from USA TODAY Sports’ Kristian Dyer, the top overall recruit in the Class of 2024 talked about the expectations that will follow him and Duke’s No. 1 recruiting class to Durham next year.

The Blue Devils lost the last game of the regular season and their first game of the ACC Tournament this season before a run to the Elite Eight included taking down top-seeded Houston.

However, Duke lost to 11-seed NC State on Sunday, and while a trip to the Elite Eight is plenty for most programs, a fanbase with five national titles is always hungry for a sixth.

Flagg said the Sunday loss to the Wolfpack didn’t change how he feels about next season.

“We haven’t been there,” Flagg said. “So I think once you get there, like you said, get acclimated, I think we have the chance to do something really special.”

Fellow five-star Duke signee Isaiah Evans echoed Flagg’s sentiment.

“I don’t really feel pressure from this year’s team,” Evans said. “I think that we’re going to create our own journey.”

Duke signees Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans praise each other at McDonald’s All-American media day

Five-star Duke signees Isaiah Evans and Cooper Flagg took turns praising the other at the McDonald’s All-American game media session.

Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans got the chance to show off on Tuesday night at the McDonald’s All-American Game, each contributing to the East’s comeback win.

However, the two five-star Duke signees spoke about the upcoming 2024-25 season in Durham during media sessions the day before. According to 247Sports’ Eric Bossi, both had plenty of praise to heap upon their future teammate.

“I think (Evans is) a great player,” Flagg said. “Really versatile and really well rounded.”

Flagg said he isn’t thinking about specific ways the two fit each other or any matchups they’ll draw in college. Instead, he’s focused on winning games.

Evans, when it was his turn to talk about Flagg, praised the No. 1 recruit’s effort and intensity.

“If I’m building a scouting report on Cooper, I think I would just say that you have to match his energy,” Evans said. “You can’t get lazy. He’s going to keep coming at you every play, and it doesn’t matter if it’s an offensive rebound or a jump shot, you just have to keep playing with him.”

The two will lead an incredible recruiting class in Durham next year made up of four total five-stars and two additional four-star recruits.

Cooper Flagg’s East team wins McDonald’s All-American Game

The East defeated the West by two points on Tuesday night, helped by a strong showing from the top recruit in the nation.

Cooper Flagg and the East team won the McDonald’s All-American game in a fourth-quarter comeback on Tuesday night, outscoring the West by six in the final frame for the 88-86 victory.

The West led 44-37 at the halfway point, but the East trimmed the lead to 66-62 after three quarters.

Flagg, a five-star Duke signee and the top recruit in the Class of 2024, finished the game with eight points, six rebounds, and three assists. He added one block and one steal apiece.

His high school teammate, Derik Queen, led the game with 23 points on 10/15 shooting. Queen is committed to Maryland.

Isaiah Evans, a fellow Duke signee and another five-star prospect, finished the game, played 20 minutes and added four rebounds and an assist, but he missed all six of his shots.

Flagg and Evans lead a dominant 2024 recruiting class for the Blue Devils, which currently boasts four five-stars and six players inside 247Sports’ top 51.

What did Cooper Flagg say about Rutgers basketball commit Ace Bailey?

Cooper Flagg talks about Rutgers commit Ace Bailey at the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Count Duke commit and five-star forward Cooper Flagg among those who admire the play of Ace Bailey. Also a five-star forward, Bailey signed with Rutgers in December.

Bailey is the highest-ranked recruit in the history of Rutgers basketball. On Tuesday, he will go up against Flagg in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Flagg is the top-ranked player in the class of 2025 by most scouting and recruiting outlets, including ESPN. Bailey is the second-highest-ranked recruit in the 2025 class on most boards.

The only exception is USA TODAY High School Sports, which has Bailey as the top-ranked player in the nation.

On Monday during a press conference for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Flagg was asked about going up against Bailey. The Rutgers commit has been talked about for the last two months as potentially becoming the top player in the country by other media outlets.

“I mean, I think he’s a great player. Really versatile, really well-rounded,” Flagg said during Monday’s press conference.

“And to be honest, I’m not really looking for specific matchups. I’m just playing to have fun and compete. I’m just always trying to win.”

The boys edition of the McDonald’s All-American game will tip-off at 9 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN. The girls game will air on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg believes Duke basketball is set to bounce back

Cooper Flagg talks about Duke basketball expectations.

Duke basketball is poised to bounce back according to Cooper Flagg, the five-star forward who is playing in this week’s McDonald’s All-American Game.

Flagg is the No. 1 player in the nation according to ESPN and multiple other outlets.

Duke had a down year by their usual lofty standards, finishing the regular season 24-8. In the final USA TODAY Coaches Poll before the start of the NCAA Tournament, Duke was ranked No. 14.

They were a fourth-seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost on Sunday in the Elite Eight to ACC rival North Carolina State.

Flagg was asked on Monday during a press conference for the McDonald’s All-American Game if he felt any pressure from fans following Duke’s loss in the NCAA Tournament.

“I think I just didn’t realize it…I don’t think I feel any sort of pressure,” Flagg said.

“Just because you know, we haven’t been there. So I think once you get there like you said get acclimated. I think we have the chance to do something really special.”

In the USA Today High School Sports top 10, Flagg is the second-best recruit in the country.

Joining Flagg during the press conference was future teammate Isaiah Evans. The future Duke guard is also a five-star and the No. 12 player in the nation according to 247Sports.

“As far as fan pressure, I don’t really feel pressure from this year’s team,” Evans said during the McDonald’s press conference.”

“I think that we’re going to create our own journey and once we get there and get acclimated with each other. And I think we don’t make a lot of fans proud.”

Top 2024 recruit Cooper Flagg turns heads at McDonald’s All-American practice

Cooper Flagg, a Duke commit and the top recruit in the Class of 2024, turned heads with his Sunday work at McDonald’s All-American practice.

Cooper Flagg, the five-star Duke commit and No. 1 player in the Class of 2024, turned heads during a practice session for the McDonald’s All-Americans on Sunday.

Bleacher Report shared a 45-second video of Flagg showing off his skills. He fought through contact into the lane, both using the attention to dish the ball to teammates and using spin moves to give himself open looks.

Flagg, who stands 6-foot-9, also threw down a few dunks to show off his bounce, including one lob from a teammate in transition. He also found Liam McNeely for a 3-pointer, setting up the basket with a smooth one-handed behind-the-back pass.

Flagg headlines Duke’s top-ranked recruiting class made up of four five-star prospects.

Future teammate Isaiah Evans, who was named North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball for the second straight year this season, joined Flagg at the practice sessions.

Paolo Banchero makes trip to deliver Gatorade NPOY award to Duke signee and projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg joins prestigious club as he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Duke great Paolo Banchero was there to give him the trophy.

The Brotherhood is genuine. People may not believe it, but Duke’s basketball brotherhood is authentic, and at this point, Duke has infiltrated basketball at all levels.

Former Blue Devil Paolo Banchero is in the midst of his second NBA season, and it’s been an exceptional year. He was named an All-Star for the first time and he’s led his Orlando Magic team into the playoff picture with a 42-29 record.

Before his days as the face of the Magic franchise, he spent a tremendous year in Durham as the face of Duke’s program during Coach K’s last season as head coach of the Blue Devils. While Duke came up short, losing to UNC in the Final Four, Banchero brought Duke to the national semifinals for the first time since 2015.

The mesmerizing, do-it-all power forward averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds as the focal point of their offensive attack. So it only makes sense that Banchero would pass that torch to the next do-it-all forward with a chance to be a No. 1 NBA draft pick.

Duke signee, the Class of 2024’s top overall recruit, and projected No. 1 draft pick in the 2025 NBA draft Cooper Flagg was named Gatorade Player of the Year on Wednesday, and Banchero was there to deliver the good news and the trophy to him.

It’s a full circle moment for Flagg, who grew up a Duke fan and is now months away from heading to Durham to write his chapter in the same way Banchero did.

Flagg, who was also named the Naismith High School Boys’ Player of the Year, led the No.1-ranked Montverde Academy to a 30-0 regular season record.

Like Banchero, Flagg is a dynamic forward capable of doing anything on the floor. The two differ mainly in the scoring department, where Banchero probably had a little more diversity in his ability to score the ball. Still, Flagg can pass, shoot, and dribble, and he is a better defender than Banchero was at this stage of his career.

Either way, Duke’s 2025 season will center on the newly minted Gatorade National Player of the Year’s ability to dominate on the basketball court. A Final Four trip like Banchero’s would be an incredible accomplishment for his likely one-year college career.