Duke Reacts to Exciting Cooper Flagg News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Before the Dallas Mavericks made him the No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg carved out his legend with the Duke Blue Devils.

The former No. 1 overall recruit spent just one season at Duke, but walked away as one of the more decorated players in the country. He was named ACC Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year.

On Wednesday, the new face of the Mavericks was given yet another award for his time in Durham, which saw him lead Duke to a Final Four appearance.

Flagg won the ESPY for best men’s college athlete, beating out Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson and Cornell lacrosse player CJ Kirst .

🏀 @DukeMBB ➡️ @dallasmavs@Cooper_Flagg takes home the @ESPYS Best College Athlete – Men’s Sports award! 🏆@MarchMadnessMBB x @MFinalFourpic.twitter.com/7jYKl1r0BK

— NCAA (@NCAA) July 17, 2025

As expected, Duke was more than thrilled for the next great Blue Devil pro, taking to X to write him a kind message.

“Yeah Coop!!!,” Duke wrote on X.

Flagg was also nominated for the ‘Best Breakthrough Athlete’, but ultimately lost to rugby player and “Dancing With the Stars” icon Ilona Maher.

Although fans are eager to see Flagg play at the NBA level, the Mavericks shut him down after just two NBA Summer League games. In those two games, Flagg averaged 31.4 minutes, 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

While he is likely looking forward to pursuing NBA greatness, another award to put on the shelf is certainly something worth celebrating.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

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