“It Was All a Surprise” — Duke’s Jon Scheyer Laments Over Cooper Flagg’s NBA Draft Decision
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has broken his silence on Cooper Flagg’s decision to declare for the NBA Draft, admitting the move caught him off guard.
“It was all a surprise,” Scheyer said in a brief statement. “We knew Cooper had that potential, but we also believed he might stay another year and lead this program to something special.”
Flagg, 18, had a dominant freshman season, quickly establishing himself as one of college basketball’s top players. His performances consistently drew NBA attention, and he finished the season as a projected No. 1 overall pick. Still, inside Duke’s program, there was hope he’d return for a second season.
“From day one, Cooper embraced the Duke culture,” Scheyer said. “He worked hard, was a great teammate, and never acted like someone with one foot out the door. That’s why it stings a little more.”
Sources close to the program say Scheyer and his staff believed Flagg might be leaning toward another year, especially given his strong ties to the team and love for the Duke atmosphere. His decision to leave now has left the coaching staff scrambling to adjust recruiting and rotation plans for next season.
“We support him 100%,” Scheyer added. “But as a coach, you always think about what could’ve been. One more year with Cooper could’ve meant another Final Four run, maybe a title.”
Flagg has not commented on Scheyer’s remarks, but he did say in his own announcement that declaring for the draft was “one of the toughest decisions” he’s ever made. He cited readiness for the NBA, family support, and personal goals as reasons for leaving.
For Duke, Flagg’s departure is a major blow. He was expected to be the face of the team next season and a leader both on and off the court. Now, Scheyer will have to rely on younger players and incoming recruits to fill that void.
“We’ll regroup,” Scheyer said. “This program has always adapted, and we’ll continue to do that. But yeah, it hurts. Cooper’s special.”
While the NBA celebrates the arrival of a top-tier talent, Duke is left to reflect on what could’ve been — and what comes next.
