For some elite college basketball prospects, the one-and-done era has often felt like a mere formality—a transactional pit stop on the way to the NBA Draft. Cases like Ben Simmons at LSU serve as prime examples, where players fulfilled their NCAA obligation with minimal enthusiasm before quickly bolting for the pros.
Then, on the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Cooper Flagg—the electrifying Duke freshman phenom who has seemingly embraced his college experience with full enthusiasm, even joking about returning for another season despite being the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
And while the odds of Flagg sticking around for another year are slim, that didn’t stop Duke fans from trying to persuade him to stay.
Duke Faithful Make Their Plea
During Duke’s dominant 93-60 rout of Wake Forest on Monday night, Cameron Indoor Stadium erupted into chants of “One more year!” as Flagg and his beaming parents acknowledged the crowd. In response, Flagg and his family played along, making “run it back” gestures, sending the arena into a frenzy.
The Cameron Crazies know the reality—Flagg is almost certainly headed to the NBA in June—but their plea was a testament to how much he has meant to the Blue Devils this season.
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Flagg’s Remarkable Freshman Season
Flagg has been everything Duke fans could have hoped for and more, putting up 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His combination of scoring, versatility, and defensive dominance has cemented him as the likely top pick in the NBA Draft, drawing comparisons to elite two-way forwards like Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, who both had legendary one-and-done seasons at Texas and Syracuse, respectively.
Beyond the numbers, Flagg’s energy and love for the game have made him a fan favorite, and his interactions with teammates, coaches, and fans suggest he has genuinely cherished his time at Duke.
A Special Season for Duke
With a 27-3 record, this year’s Blue Devils squad is boasting its best winning percentage since Duke’s iconic 37-2 campaign in 1999. As the team heads toward March Madness, expectations are sky-high, and Flagg has positioned himself as the centerpiece of Duke’s championship aspirations.
A Fun What-If Scenario
Could Flagg actually return? It’s incredibly unlikely—NBA stardom and a lucrative rookie contract await him. However, his willingness to even entertain the idea, coupled with his parents’ joyful reaction to the crowd’s chants, speaks volumes about how much he has enjoyed his Duke experience.
For now, Duke fans can dream of “one more year”, but if Flagg’s time in Durham is truly coming to an end, he’s making sure to leave his mark in unforgettable fashion.
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