DUKE’S VICTORY OR SHAME? Cooper Flagg Declared Non-Eligible After Missed Criteria — Now Set for Shocking Return to Durham
In a dramatic and controversial turn of events, Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg has been officially declared non-eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft after failing to meet a key eligibility criterion—forcing him into an unexpected return to Durham for another season.
The news, confirmed by league sources earlier today, has sparked a mix of celebration, confusion, and debate across the college basketball world.
The ruling centers on Flagg’s reclassification from the 2025 to the 2024 recruiting class during his high school career. While the move allowed him to join Duke a year early, it now appears that it didn’t satisfy a specific NBA eligibility clause related to age and academic standing. According to the league’s official statement, Flagg “does not meet the minimum draft requirements outlined under current CBA regulations” and will be eligible to declare no earlier than the 2026 Draft.
For Duke fans, it’s a stunning twist—one that brings back their superstar for another season. For Flagg, it’s an abrupt change of plans that alters the trajectory of his career. And for the college basketball community, it raises questions about how closely player reclassifications are scrutinized by the NBA.
Flagg was widely projected as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft. His freshman year at Duke lived up to the hype, averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. His elite athleticism, court awareness, and two-way dominance made him a generational talent—and the cornerstone of Duke’s resurgence under head coach Jon Scheyer.
Now, he’ll be back.
For some, this is an undeniable victory for Duke. Flagg’s return instantly propels the Blue Devils into championship favorite territory for next season. Paired with returnees like Cooper Duke, Trey Johnson, and transfer star Elijah Ransom, the 2025-26 squad is shaping up to be one of the most stacked Duke lineups in recent memory.
But not everyone sees it as a win.
Critics argue that this turn of events points to poor oversight from Flagg’s camp and potentially Duke’s compliance team. How a top prospect and one of the most scrutinized players in the country could fall short of a fundamental eligibility requirement is baffling to many. Some call it a technicality. Others call it a blunder.
Regardless of the optics, one thing is clear—Flagg is back in blue and white.
Cameron Indoor will once again be home to one of the brightest stars in college basketball. Whether this was a mistake that turned into a blessing or a cautionary tale for future reclassifiers, the result is the same: Duke gets another year with its phenom.
And now, with Flagg returning unexpectedly, the pressure—and the spotlight—just got a lot bigger. The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a legacy-defining campaign for Flagg, for Duke, and for everyone watching.
