The second-ranked Duke Blue Devils secured a pivotal win over their rival, North Carolina, over the weekend, sweeping the season series and clinching the ACC title with 28 regular-season victories—their highest total since 2014.
As Duke shifts its focus to the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, much of the attention remains on freshman standout Cooper Flagg, who is widely projected as the top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
However, Bovada Sportsbook released surprising odds on Monday regarding Flagg’s future. He now has better odds (+290) of returning to Duke next season than of being drafted by any specific NBA team. The Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Utah Jazz follow closely, each with +550 odds of selecting him.
While it’s uncommon for a player of Flagg’s caliber to return to college, the impact of NIL and his own remarks on the possibility have kept speculation alive—especially given the teams at the top of the draft.
Despite the discussion, Flagg remains focused on finishing the season strong, with Duke aiming for a national championship. The Blue Devils enter postseason play as one of the hottest teams in college basketball.
“I’m living in the moment,” Flagg said. “Taking it day by day, practice by practice, game by game. I don’t know what the future holds.”
This season, Flagg has been Duke’s leader in every major statistical category, averaging 19.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.7% from three, and 83.0% from the free-throw line.
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