Duke coach Jon Scheyer will always remember the day Brian Scalabrine introduced him to Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The connection to the superstar prospect from Maine was a pivotal moment in Scheyer’s rise as one of the top coaches in college basketball. It all began with a single text from Scalabrine.
Scalabrine’s Impact on Flagg’s Recruitment
Brian Scalabrine, an 11-year NBA veteran and current Boston Celtics analyst, noticed Cooper Flagg during his rise as a high school star. Scalabrine spread the word about Flagg’s potential and gave Scheyer a heads-up about the standout player.
“I told Scalabrine that text was the most important text of my life,” Scheyer said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “At first, you’re like, ‘How good is this kid from Maine really?’ But when you see him play, you realize exactly what Scal was talking about.”
Flagg’s Rapid Rise in Recruitment
Before spring 2022, only smaller schools had offered Cooper Flagg a scholarship. By April, some top programs showed interest, and Duke officially offered Flagg on May 15. His recruitment quickly skyrocketed, and by October 2023, he chose to commit to Duke after taking visits to UConn and Duke.
Flagg reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class, becoming the top-ranked player in the country.
A Stellar Freshman Season at Duke
Flagg entered Duke with massive expectations, and he exceeded them in his freshman season. The first-team All-American won several National Player of the Year awards and led Duke on its deepest NCAA Tournament run under Scheyer.
He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, leading Duke in all five major statistics. This achievement was especially remarkable considering that Duke produced three top-10 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Scheyer’s Praise for Flagg
“What makes Coop so special,” Scheyer said, “is being around him every day and seeing how much he impacts winning. He makes everyone around him better. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to work with him this year.”
Flagg’s NBA Future
After an incredible season at Duke, Cooper Flagg is headed to the Dallas Mavericks, who selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
