Cooper Flagg’s Cameron Farewell? Duke’s Star Shines Bright in Possible Last Home Game
As the deafening chants of “One more year!” echoed through Cameron Indoor Stadium, Cooper Flagg walked off the court with a mix of fire and nostalgia. The projected No. 1 NBA draft pick may not be ready to declare his future, but if Monday night was his last stand in a Duke uniform at home, he made sure to leave a lasting memory.
Duke obliterated Wake Forest in a 93-60 statement win, sealing a perfect 17-0 season at Cameron. Flagg was nothing short of spectacular, pouring in 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, and adding 3 blocks and 2 steals for good measure. The performance was a masterclass, a declaration of dominance, and possibly, a farewell tour stop.
Revenge Game or Parting Gift?
Flagg made it clear—Duke’s lackluster January loss to Wake Forest was fuel for this showdown. He played with an edge, a fire, an urgency that made it feel like he had a point to prove. And prove it he did. But even as he basked in the moment, the inevitable question loomed—was this his last ride in Durham?
His coach, Jon Scheyer, certainly took a moment to appreciate the spectacle. “I just hope everybody recognizes—if we were in more close games, his numbers would be like this a lot. He’s so unselfish. He plays so hard, he’s competitive, he’s a great teammate, and obviously, his ability is special.”
A Historic Season, A Tough Decision
Duke has been rolling, winning four straight games by at least 30 points. This squad is peaking at the perfect time, and Flagg, the heart and soul of the team, is leading the charge. But what happens next?
Flagg reminisced about his time at Duke, calling it “the best place in college basketball.” He recalled his coast-to-coast dunk against Pitt as a surreal moment but said the loudest eruption all season came when teammate Sion James threw down a monstrous slam against NC State. Ever the selfless leader, Flagg took more joy in his teammate’s moment than his own.
But nostalgia aside, the NBA is calling. Can Duke fans’ wishes and Cameron’s magic be enough to keep Flagg for another season? Or is his next step inevitable? One thing’s for sure—if this was goodbye, it was one for the history books.
What’s Next?
Duke heads into March Madness on fire, but the elephant in the room remains: Will Flagg declare for the NBA Draft? The allure of a championship run might be the only thing that could delay what seems like an unavoidable jump to the pros. Until then, the Cameron Crazies will hold onto hope.
Cooper Flagg—Duke legend in the making or one-and-done sensation? The debate is officially on.
