If Cooper Flagg declares for the NBA draft, he would immediately become the favorite to be the first general selection.
However, Flagg has said he wants to return, and an anterior selection wants to do exactly that.
Larry Johnson, the first general selection of the 1991 NBA Draft, said Flagg should remain “one more year” in Duke.
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Duke Blue Devils striker, Cooper Flagg, cuts the network after winning the ACC 2025 championship game against Louisville cardinals at the Spectrum center. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn images)
“It is difficult to reject that money when you know that you are going to be number 1, but it is in a great program, Duke,” Johnson told TMZ Sports.
“Back to Duke and spend another year, just meet his skills a little more. I think it would be a good idea. But, again, knowing that you will be the number 1 as a first -year student, that would be difficult to reject.”
Johnson also dismissed the idea that Flagg would risk an injury if he stayed at the university, which could affect his draft stock.
“You can hurt yourself doing anything,” he said.
Johnson had the opportunity to go out with a high note. He headed to the NBA after winning the National Championship with UNLV in 1990, but returned for another year.
Duke Blue Devils striker, Cooper Flagg, reacts in the second half in Dean E. Smith Center. (Images Bob Donnan/Imagn)
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Returning for his last year did not alter his way much. It was still the first in general to the Charlotte Hornets next season.
Although their rebels lost in the Final Four in their last season with the team, Johhson did not regret.
“Devils no,” he said.
In February, Flagg said “he wants[ed] Back to Duke.
“I want to go back next year,” said the first year student. “I still feel like a child. This is the only way I have met the University. This is how I see it. I would not know how children felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like a professional. I mean, it is the same for children in high school, they also pay me a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel quite normal.”
Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) Chief coach of the five Jon Scheyer during the second half against the state of North Carolina in Durham, North Carolina, January 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Flagg and the Blue Devils will face Houston in the Final Four on Saturday at 8:49 pm et in San Antonio.
Flagg, who returned from an ankle injury he suffered in the ACC Tournament, averages 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the tournament, similar numbers to what he published during the regular season.
