Duke’s head coach was filled with energy and excitement after a jaw-dropping play by freshman Cooper Flagg during the Blue Devils’ victory over Pittsburgh. Early in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Flagg intercepted a pass, sprinted down the court, and delivered a thunderous one-handed dunk that electrified the crowd and his teammates.
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COOPER FLAGG JUST WENT COAST-TO-COAST AND POSTERIZED THE DEFENDER 😱🔥
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Z5jcZ756ew
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2025
The reaction from the fans and Duke players was immediate and filled with awe, as Flagg’s athletic display left everyone in amazement. Following the game, the head coach shared his thoughts on the remarkable moment during the postgame press conference. He admitted that he was initially distracted by a disagreement over a prior out-of-bounds call but couldn’t ignore the significance of the play. He compared Flagg’s dunk to moments reminiscent of Zion Williamson, noting the energy and excitement it sparked in the arena. He also acknowledged that Duke has had players in the past capable of creating such electrifying moments, and this was one of them.
Flagg, reflecting on the play, mentioned that his aggression stemmed from frustration after picking up his third foul earlier in the game. That frustration pushed him to make the bold move at the rim, culminating in one of the most memorable plays of the night.
Junior guard Tyrese Proctor also chimed in, describing the dunk as the best he had ever seen in a game. He even suggested it could rank among the greatest dunks of all time, further highlighting the magnitude of Flagg’s highlight.
In addition to the dunk, Flagg had an outstanding overall performance, contributing 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, helping Duke secure a commanding 76-47 win. The freshman phenom has consistently proven his talent this season and is already being projected as a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His coach didn’t hold back in his praise, declaring Flagg the best player in the country. He emphasized that while Flagg still has more to prove, his performances against strong competition have solidified his status as a top-tier player.
Currently, Duke is ranked No. 4 in the nation, boasting a nine-game winning streak and an overall record of 13-2, with a perfect 5-0 start in ACC play. Flagg leads the team in several categories, including scoring (17.5 points per game), rebounding (8.5 rebounds per game), and assists (3.7 assists per game), further solidifying his role as the team’s standout player.