The former No. 1 pick hopes Cooper Flag returns to Duke
if Cooper Flag With the NBA Draft declaration, he soon becomes a favorite to become his first overall pick.
But Flag says he wants him back, and Past Top Selections I want him to do that.
Larry Johnson, the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, said Flag should stay with Duke for “a more year.”
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The Duke Blue Devils Forward Cooper Flag will cut the net after winning the 2025 ACC Championship Game with the Spectrum Center Louisville Cardinals. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
“It’s hard to turn down that money when you know you’re going to be number one, but he’s in a great program,” Johnson told TMZ Sports.
“To spend another year back in Duke, I just need to connect a little more skills. I think that’s a pretty good idea. But again, I know you’re coming out as a freshman, so it’s going to be hard to say no.”
Johnson also dismissed the idea of getting injured if Flag stayed in college.
“You can get hurt at anything,” he said.
Johnson had the opportunity to go out to high notes. He was heading to the NBA after winning the National Championship at UNLV in 1990, but has returned for another year.
Duke Blue Devils Forward Cooper Flag responds to the second half of Dean E. Smith Center. (Bob Dannan / Image image)
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Returning to his fourth grade didn’t change his path much. He still went first to the Charlotte Hornets the following season.
Despite his rebels losing in the final four in their final season with the team, Joson had no regrets.
“Heck no,” he said.
In February, Flag said “I want to go back (ed)” To Duke.
“I want to go back next year,” the freshman said. “I still feel like a child. This is the only way I know college. That’s how I see it. I don’t really know how kids felt before. If this feels different, if this feels more professional, then I think it’s the same for high school kids.
Duke’s Cooper Flag (2) January 27, 2025, in the second half of the High Five head coach John Shayer against North Carolina in Durham, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Ben McKeun)
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The Flag and the Blue Devils will face Houston in Saturday’s Final 4 at 8:49pm ET in San Antonio.
The flag, who returned from an ankle injury he maintained in the ACC tournament, averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the tournament, with similar numbers posted during the regular season.
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