Duke has reacted to Cooper Flagg’s ESPY for the 2025 Best Male College Athlete. Here’s what Duke had to say about Flagg, 18, following the win at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Cooper Flagg Wins First ESPY
Cooper Flagg has yet to play in an NBA game, but won his first ESPY — the 2025 Best Male College Athlete — on Wednesday. Flagg, the newest Dallas Mavericks forward, led the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team to the Final Four at the age of 18. Flagg subsequently became the second-youngest player to be selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.
Flagg beat Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ newest wide receiver, for the award. Hunter, 22, was the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Duke Reacts To Flagg’s ESPY
Despite being on the bench for the Dallas Mavericks before the award was announced, Cooper Flagg was shut down for the remainder of the Mavericks’ Summer League schedule. Still, Flagg’s alma mater — Duke University — reacted to the award. Flagg lived up to all of the hype in his lone season at Duke. Flagg’s impressive season led to him being drafted by the Mavericks with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Duke men’s basketball team took to social media to react to Flagg’s new award. Duke Men’s Basketball posted just two words, “Yeah Coop!!!” During his lone season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals, in 37 games played. Flagg also shot 48.1% from the floor and knocked down 38.5% of his three-point attempts.
Final Thoughts
Heading into the NBA, Cooper Flagg is expected to be an instant impact player. Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd has made it clear that he plans to give Flagg minutes at the point guard position. If Kidd’s plan works out, he’ll be able to create matchup issues for opposing teams’ defenses who have to guard the size the Mavericks can put on the floor.
