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Duke Blue Devils: Analyst Makes 1 HUGE Declaration About Cooper Flagg's Debut NCAA Season 6 Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) hugs head coach Nate Oats during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

'Best Player In The Country': Cooper Flagg Gets High Praise From Stephen A. Smith Ahead Of Duke Vs Houston Final Four Matchup

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 11:43 AM ET

Duke’s freshman superstar Cooper Flagg gets high praise from analyst and sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, who praised how the freshman superstar has elevated Duke to a whole new level.

In one of the recent editions of his program “Frist Take,” Stephen A. Smith talked about the Duke Blue Devils and their current superstar, freshman Cooper Flagg. Since this season, Flagg has taken the world of college basketball by a storm, and has since been rumored to the the apparent overall first pick for the 2025 NBA draft.

In his program, Stephen A. praised how big Duke has become this season, thanks to how Cooper Flagg has performed.

“I’m looking at Duke right now,” Smith said. “They’re just head and shoulders above everybody else right now. They’re a juggernaut. They can beat you any way you ask them to.”

“You wanna get physical? Fine. You wanna be up-tempo? Fine. You wanna slow it down? Fine. And we got a cat that’s a freshman that may be the best player in the country.”

“At this moment, I don’t think anybody can be higher than Duke.”

—@stephenasmith on Duke winning it all in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament pic.twitter.com/tOtiWpSdel

— First Take (@FirstTake) March 31, 2025

With that said, Stephen A. is clear about his take on the phenomenal freshman player.

“This brother, Cooper Flagg, is special, y’all. Make no mistake about it. And that’s why I look at Duke right now.”

Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) drives to the basket against Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg Credits Duke Coaches: “They Allowed Me to Play Freely”

In a post-game press conference, Cooper Flagg took the opportunity to thank his team, particularly the coaching staff, for helping him achieve the high-level of performance that he has given out so far this season.

“I mean, obviously, it’s a big honor and a blessing,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the guys sitting next to me here and the rest of the guys in the locker room, so I have to give all the credit to them.”

“The coaches also played a huge role, putting me in really good situations, placing me in the right spots on the court, and giving me the ball where I needed it. They allowed me to play freely, whether it was off the ball or on the ball, just letting me be me.”

“I just have to give all the credit to my teammates and coaches.”

As Duke enters the Final Four, Cooper Flagg is averagin 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) drives to the basket against Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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