Less than a week after the national second place in the last four, Duke Freshman striking Cooper Flagg entered a room on the fourth floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Flagg is in the for the Wooden Award -Ceremony after he has only become the fourth real first -year student in the history of the university basketball to receive the prestigious prize, which is awarded annually to the most striking college basketball player of the year.
Dressed from head to toe in New Balance Threads-Flagg signed a signature with return to school or go to the NBA, where he largely expects that he is the first overall choice in this year’s design.
FOX Sports has overtaken Flagg to discuss the design, his historic first -year season at Duke and more.
Where are you now deciding to go to the NBA or come back to Duke, and what are the top determining factors that you weigh?
I’m just going through the process. Really, we don’t have that much time to talk about it. I got the chance to come here (Los Angeles) and to take the time with myself and my family and Tim to think about the season I had. I’m not in a certain haste. I just go through the process, talk to everyone I need and will make a decision about what is best for me.
What you mostly trust when it comes to that decision -making: Coach (Scheyer), your family, your teammates?
I think it comes from myself. Where I see myself, what I want, where my head is. Both my parents, my family, my agent and of course my coaches and the staff. Those are the people I will talk to the most.
There have been so many great players to come from Duke. Who is your Mount Rushmore from Duke basketball players?
Four choosing is difficult. I certainly think JJ Redick. Christian Laettner sure. I would place Grant Hill there. The fourth can go in any way. I will place Zion (Williamson) there because his team was one of the teams that I really saw growing up and was enthusiastic about watching.
Speaking of Zion, you join him, Anthony Davis And Kevin Durant As the only real first -year students who won the Wooden Award. What does it mean to hear your name in that elite company?
It is an incredible honor for me. I am really grateful to get this recognition. It means the world for me, and I am just reality excited and blessed to be here.
What are your plans that you visit Los Angeles for the Wooden Award? Is it a quick in-and-out trip or have you set other plans?
It will be a fairly fast in-and-out journey only because I have to go back to the campus at Duke and finish the class. I just want to enjoy this time with my family. My parents are here with me, so I just hope to enjoy this experience with Likem before I go back to Duke.
Duke will next season in four first -year students in four first -year students, and all four are five star perspectives. What is the only advice you would give them to enter their first year?
I would say just don’t be shy. Contact everyone in the current team and start building connections as early as possible. The sooner you can connect with the team and the coaches and really start making Thos relationships, it is really important to help you buy in and understand the program.
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