NBA Draft analyst dismisses ‘absurd’ Cooper Flagg return speculation

 

The Duke Blue Devils wrapped up their regular season with a win over North Carolina in Chapel Hill, securing the top seed in the ACC Tournament and positioning themselves for a prime spot in the NCAA Tournament field.

However, speculation has emerged regarding freshman standout Cooper Flagg’s future. Rumors suggest he could return to Duke for another season, which would significantly bolster the team for the 2025-26 campaign.

Flagg, widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, finished the season averaging 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. While a lucrative NIL deal could be on the table for next season, securing the top draft spot would guarantee him a substantial payday.

Following Duke’s victory, NBA Draft analyst Krysten Peek addressed the swirling rumors.

“Anyone who thinks he’s coming back to college for another year (miracle NIL or not) is completely delusional. Cooper’s had an incredible season. He’s NBA-ready and has earned that No. 1 spot. Let’s stop the clickbait, please,” Peek stated.

Peek’s remarks were in response to a B/R Hoops post highlighting Flagg’s dominance, leading Duke in multiple statistical categories, including points, minutes, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game.

Flagg has lived up to the hype this season, and unless he makes a surprising decision, he appears to be the frontrunner to be the first name called in the NBA Draft. While his final decision remains unknown, Peek is adamant that a return to Duke is not in the cards.