if Cooper Flag Announced the NBA Draft, he will immediately become the first overall draft pick favorite.
But Flag said he wanted to return, Past choices Tell him to do this.
Larry Johnson, the first overall draft pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, said Flag should be at Duke for a year.
Click here for more sports reports on FoxNews.com
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg won the network in the 2025 ACC championship game against the Spectroscopic Center against the Louisville Cardins. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn image)
“It’s hard to turn down the money when you know you’re going to be number one, but he’s in a great program, Duke,” Johnson told TMZ Sports.
“To go back to Duke and take another year, just put their skills together. I think it’s a good idea. But again, knowing you’re going to be a freshman, it’s going to be hard to turn down.”
Johnson also dismissed Flagg’s idea that if he stayed in college, he could be injured, which could affect his stock draft.
“You can do anything and get hurt,” he said.
Johnson had a chance to be outstanding. He was heading to the NBA after winning the national championship with UNLV in 1990, but he was back for another year.
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg reacted in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. (Bob Donnan/Imagn image)
Conddmaker has insight into Bettors’ performance, mainly the parade madness without frustration
There is not much road to returning to his senior year. Next season, he remains number one for the Charlotte Hornets.
Although his Rebels lost in the last four games of his final season with the team, Johnson had no regrets.
“Oh,” he said.
In February, Flag said he “think[ed] return” Go to Duke.
“I want to come back next year,” the freshman said. “I still feel like a kid. It’s the only way I know college. That’s what I think. I really don’t know how kids feel, if it feels different, if it’s more like a professional. I mean, I mean, that’s the same thing for kids in high school, and that’s the same, getting a lot of money. I don’t know. I don’t know.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) is in the second half, against North Carolina State in Durham, North Carolina on January 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Flagg and the Blue Devils will take over Houston in four games Saturday at 8:49 PM ET in San Antonio.
Flag returned from an ankle injury he suffered in the ACC Championship, and he averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the game, a similar number to the one he posted in the regular season.
Follow Fox News Numbers Motion Report on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Grocery Newsletter.
