Duke Devils Land Houston Star After Flagg’s Exit — Rebuild Back on Track
Caleb Flagg’s departure from Duke sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, raising doubts about the Blue Devils’ future and casting a shadow over their offseason plans. But just as panic began to set in,
Duke pulled off a bold move—landing Houston standout Elijah Ransom in the transfer portal. Suddenly, the outlook in Durham looks a lot brighter.
Ransom, a 6’7” wing who lit up the AAC last season, is coming off a stellar year where he averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. His smooth shooting stroke—over 41% from deep—and tenacious defense made him one of the top two-way players in the country. Now, he brings that firepower and experience to a Duke team in need of leadership and stability.
With Flagg gone, Duke was left searching for answers. But the coaching staff wasted no time targeting Ransom as their top priority. “Elijah’s got that competitive edge,” a Duke assistant reportedly said. “He’s built for the moment.”
While it’s unfair to expect anyone to completely fill Flagg’s shoes, Ransom offers something different—veteran poise and a proven track record at the college level. He joins a talented core that includes rising sophomore guard Trey Johnson and big man Kaden Parks. Together, they form a trio capable of leading Duke through a retooling phase with serious upside.
The Blue Devils’ chances at immediate redemption may depend on how quickly Ransom adjusts to his new environment and whether Johnson can take the next step in his development. But in the transfer portal era, turnarounds can happen fast—and Duke just made a major move in that direction.
Flagg’s exit was a blow, no doubt. But it didn’t signal the end—it set the stage for a new beginning. With Elijah Ransom now in the fold, Duke isn’t retreating. They’re reloading. And the message to the rest of the college basketball world is clear: the Devils are far from done.
