**Duke Basketball Star Cooper Flagg to Compete in NCAA Tournament Despite Injury**
Duke men’s basketball standout Cooper Flagg will participate in the NCAA Tournament, despite suffering a serious ankle injury that required wheelchair assistance earlier this week. The announcement was made by Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to the NCAA Tournament selection committee, confirming Flagg’s availability for the tournament, as stated by Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president for basketball.
### Injury Details
– **What Happened**: Flagg sprained his left ankle during a game against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
– **When**: The injury occurred on Thursday, during the second half of the game.
– **Where**: The incident took place on the court while Flagg was attempting to secure a rebound.
– **Why**: Flagg landed awkwardly on his left ankle after jumping for the ball, leading to immediate distress and requiring assistance from teammates.
### Recovery and Team Impact
– Flagg was seen limping to the bench and was later taken to the locker room in a wheelchair.
– Despite the injury, he returned to the bench in the second half to support his teammates but did not re-enter the game.
– Duke’s coach, Jon Scheyer, noted that there was swelling in Flagg’s ankle, which led to him missing the semifinal game against North Carolina and being ruled out for the title game against Louisville.
### Player Recognition
– Flagg was recently honored as the ACC Player and Newcomer of the Year by The Associated Press, highlighting his significant contributions to the team this season.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, Flagg’s status remains a focal point, with the selection committee monitoring player availability, which can influence team seeding.
**Conclusion**: Will Cooper Flagg’s determination and talent help lead Duke to success in the NCAA Tournament despite his injury?
### FAQs:
**Q: What injury did Cooper Flagg sustain?**
A: Cooper Flagg sprained his left ankle during a game against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament.
**Alt Text**: Duke basketball player Cooper Flagg on the court during a game.
**URL Slug**: duke-basketball-cooper-flagg-injury-ncaa-tournament
