Duke University's men's basketball team concluded their home schedule with a resounding 93-60 victory over Wake Forest on Monday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Cooper Flagg, projected as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, delivered an outstanding performance in what might have been his final game at the iconic venue. Despite speculation about his future, Flagg maintained his focus on the present, expressing his love for every moment he spent at Duke.
Flagg showcased his exceptional skills by scoring 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, along with 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. This victory marked Duke's fourth consecutive win by at least 30 points, capping off a perfect 17-0 season at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Reflecting on the electrifying atmosphere, Flagg commented, "I was just playing with a lot of emotion and a lot of fire."
As the game progressed, Flagg and the rest of the starters left the court with 2:21 remaining in the second half, leaving the Blue Devils ahead by 40 points. The crowd's energy reached its peak, with Flagg noting that it was the loudest he had experienced all year. He expressed gratitude for the season, stating, "This is the best place in college basketball, for sure."
Flagg highlighted memorable moments from his time at Duke, including teammate Sion James' dunk against NC State and his own coast-to-coast dunk versus Pitt. He cherished the overall experience, remarking that it had exceeded his expectations. Coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged Flagg's impact, saying, "I just hope everybody recognizes, if we were in more close games, his numbers would be like this a lot."
The crowd fervently urged Flagg to return for another year; however, given his NBA draft prospects, this remains uncertain. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Flagg chose to stay grounded, focusing on his present achievements and experiences at Duke.
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