Cooper Flagg is poised to make a significant impact in the NBA, but due to league regulations, he must wait one year after high school before turning pro. As a result, he chose to attend Duke University. While many anticipate that he will be a one-and-done player, Flagg has hinted that he might stay longer. In a recent interview, the highly-touted prospect, projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, expressed his desire to return for another year.
“I want to come back next year,” the freshman stated. “I still feel like a kid. This is the only way I’ve ever known college. I wouldn’t know how it feels to be a professional or how it differs from being in college. It’s similar for high school kids too, with the money they’re making. I feel pretty normal.”
Standing at 6’9″, Flagg has been a standout player for the No. 4 ranked team in the nation, averaging 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He has started all 24 games this season, boasting shooting percentages of 48.3% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc.
Flagg began the college season at just 17 years old, celebrating his 18th birthday shortly before Christmas after reclassifying to graduate high school a year early. He was the top-rated recruit for the class of 2024 and received a Division I scholarship offer from Bryant before finishing middle school. Originally from Newport, Maine, he attended Montverde Academy in Florida after starting his high school career at Nokomis Regional High School in his home state.
While it is increasingly rare for elite NBA prospects to spend more than one year in college, the landscape may be shifting due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Flagg’s perspective reflects a desire to enjoy his youth while navigating the world of college basketball.
