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The Cameron Crazies may not have been blindsided, but that doesn’t mean the reverberations aren’t being felt across Durham. Cooper Flagg — the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class and a once-in-a-decade talent — has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, opting for the professional leap after just one electrifying season with the Duke Blue Devils. With his departure, Duke Basketball finds itself in full-on reset mode, albeit one that was expected from the moment Flagg committed.
A Meteoric Rise, A Brief Stay
Flagg’s lone year at Duke was nothing short of spectacular. Averaging 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and nearly 2.5 blocks per game, the 6’9″ forward lived up to every ounce of the hype surrounding his arrival. His court vision, defensive instincts, and clutch shot-making made him the engine of a Blue Devils team that reached the Elite Eight before falling to eventual champions.
But as much as his impact was transformative, his exit was always on the horizon. Flagg was never expected to be a four-year player — or even a two-year one. His NBA-ready frame and mature game made his one-and-done trajectory a near certainty. Duke fans were just hoping for a championship run before his departure.
The Aftermath: A Familiar Reset
Duke isn’t new to this cycle. Under Jon Scheyer — and before him, Coach K — the program has become adept at reloading rather than rebuilding. Still, losing a player like Flagg creates a vacuum. His presence on both ends of the floor was a schematic centerpiece.
Scheyer now faces the challenge of retooling a roster that was built, in large part, around Flagg’s unique skill set. Fortunately, he has tools at his disposal. The incoming recruiting class is stacked with top-tier talent, and several key returners — including sophomore guard Caleb Foster and big man Sean Stewart — are expected to step into larger roles.
Transfer portal activity will also be critical. Duke has already shown interest in a number of experienced players who can help balance a roster that may be young but remains immensely talented.
What’s Next for Duke?
The expectation remains the same: contend. While losing Flagg is a blow, the Blue Devils aren’t retreating into obscurity. Instead, the focus shifts to how Scheyer can mold his next iteration of the team — one that continues to play with Duke’s trademark blend of toughness, tempo, and high-level skill.
In many ways, this is college basketball’s new normal: superstar comes in, dominates for a season, and heads to the pros. For Duke, this pattern is familiar. What will define the next few months is how effectively they adjust — again — and how quickly the next group can rise to meet the standard Flagg helped reinforce.
Final Word
Cooper Flagg’s departure marks the end of a thrilling, albeit brief, chapter in Duke basketball history. His NBA leap was expected, but that doesn’t make the transition any less significant. Now, all eyes turn to Jon Scheyer and the next generation of Blue Devils — because in Durham, the expectations never leave, even when the stars do.
