Cooper Flagg’s meteoric rise to the top of college basketball hasn’t come without scrutiny, skepticism, and surprising doubters along the way. The Duke freshman — already one of the most talked-about players in the nation before playing a single minute in the NCAA — recently opened up about the unusual path he’s taken and why some questioned whether he’d live up to the hype.
Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, was the No. 1 player in the 2024 recruiting class, a once-in-a-decade talent whose combination of size, athleticism, basketball IQ, and competitive drive made him a household name by the time he was 16. But despite his dominance at Montverde Academy and his standout performances in the Nike EYBL circuit and Team USA camps, Flagg revealed in a recent interview that not everyone was sold on his ability to become a star at the next level.
“Some people looked at where I came from and thought it couldn’t be real,” Flagg said. “You don’t see a lot of basketball players coming out of Maine. People doubted the competition, doubted whether I’d keep up once I got to the national level. There was this idea that I wasn’t tested — that I was just putting up numbers against weak competition.”
Those early doubts weren’t just about geography. Flagg also faced questions about his demeanor on the court. Quiet by nature, he’s not one to draw attention with flashy celebrations or loud trash talk. Some scouts wondered whether he had the killer instinct necessary to lead a program like Duke. Was he too passive? Could he impose his will when it mattered most?
Flagg heard all of it — and used it as fuel.
“Every time someone said I wasn’t tough enough or questioned if I could be the guy, it added a chip to my shoulder,” he said. “I love the game. I’m obsessed with it. I knew I’d prove it on the court.”
And prove it he did. At Montverde, Flagg quickly silenced critics by thriving in one of the most competitive high school basketball programs in the country. He dominated against future college and NBA players, showing elite shot-blocking instincts, a versatile offensive arsenal, and a relentless motor that made him a standout even among the nation’s best. His senior year cemented his No. 1 ranking and earned him comparisons to NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum — not for their style of play, but for the way they handled the spotlight with poise and purpose.
Still, as Flagg prepared to suit up for Duke — a program with as much tradition and pressure as any in college basketball — the doubts didn’t entirely fade. Some questioned whether he’d need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game, especially against older players. Others wondered how he would fit into a loaded Blue Devils roster with veteran talent and other highly-ranked recruits.
Flagg isn’t concerned. In fact, he embraces the challenge.
“At Duke, nothing is given. You’ve got to earn your spot, earn your minutes,” he said. “That’s what I wanted. I didn’t come here expecting anything to be handed to me. I came here to get better, to compete every day, and to help this team win a national championship.”
His mindset has already impressed Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, who praised Flagg’s work ethic, humility, and competitive drive in recent comments to the media. “Cooper’s one of the most mature young players I’ve ever been around,” Scheyer said. “He’s incredibly driven, but he’s also a great teammate. He wants to do things the right way. He doesn’t just want to be a great player — he wants to be part of something bigger.”
That team-first attitude, combined with his undeniable talent, has quickly made Flagg a fan favorite in Durham. Practices and scrimmages have already produced stories of jaw-dropping plays — chase-down blocks, step-back threes, and high-flying dunks that leave teammates in awe. For those still doubting, Flagg is letting his game speak.
“I don’t need to talk about what I’m going to do,” he said. “I just want to go out there and do it. People are always going to doubt something — that’s fine. I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life.”
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg to see how his game translates to the college stage. But for those who still question whether he’s ready to be a star, his story — and his mindset — should be a warning.
The doubters may have once had their reasons, but Flagg isn’t just ready to meet expectations. He’s ready to exceed them.
