In a monumental move that has basketball fans buzzing, Duke's star freshman Cooper Flagg, the recipient of the prestigious Wooden Award and a top contender for the first overall pick, has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. This exciting announcement came on Monday through a heartfelt video shared on social media.

Expressing his gratitude, Flagg shared, "Duke fans, my teammates, the brotherhood, everybody that was along for the journey. It was an incredible year, probably the best year of my life. I'm excited to announce that I'll be entering my name into the 2025 NBA draft." He emphasized the significance of his time at Duke, calling it a lifelong dream.

Flagg, who once held the title of the top prospect in the 2024 high school class, has been seen as the frontrunner for the first overall pick ever since he reclassified in August 2023. Standing tall at 6-foot-9, he delivered a stunning performance during his freshman year at Duke with averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, propelling the Blue Devils to a remarkable 35-4 record and a coveted Final Four appearance.

Duke's head coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg, stating, "Really proud of Cooper for the special season that he had this year. Winning every National Player of the Year award truly reflects his impact on the game. His highlights and statistics are off the charts, but his character and unselfishness as a teammate is what sets him apart."

Flagg certainly proved his preseason hype, especially during the ACC competition in January, where he averaged a staggering 25.4 points, alongside 6.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists while boasting impressive shooting percentages. He made headlines by shattering the ACC freshman record with a jaw-dropping 42 points against Notre Dame.

Though he faced an ankle injury in the ACC tournament, Flagg bounced back brilliantly during the NCAA tournament, highlighted by a phenomenal 30-point, 6-rebound, and 7-assist performance in a Sweet 16 victory over Arizona.

With his unanimous designation as National Player of the Year and becoming only the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award, Flagg's future in the NBA looks incredibly bright. Fans and scouts alike eagerly await where he will land in the upcoming draft!