Duke Basketball: Cooper Flagg to Follow Footsteps of Christian Laettner, Zion Williamson

(Photo : Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - The Duke Blue Devils bench looks on during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 18, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

Cooper Flagg, the consensus top player in the 2024 recruiting class, opted to join the Duke Blue Devils, the same university that has produced players such as Christian Laettner and Zion Williamson.

It all boiled down to choosing between the Blue Devils and defending champion UConn Huskies. But in the end, the 6-foot-9 forward from Montverde Academy in Florida decided to join Duke ahead of the NCAA early signing period on November 8, ABC News reported.

Flagg will play under Jon Scheyer, who is starting a new era of Duke Blue Devils basketball. Flagg is a valuable addition, and his future also looks promising.

Since former coach Mike Krzyzewski introduced positionless basketball, the program has produced many players who became big names in the NBA. Aside from Laettner and Williamson, other Duke products include Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer Jr., and Mike Dunleavy Jr., among others.

Scheyer won't hold Flagg back

Questions are now whether Cooper Flagg can thrive under the Duke Blue Devils system. Given his skill set, coach Scheyer is expected to give the 16-year-old the freedom to do what he wants, ESPN reported.

In all, the Flagg-Blue Devil's relationship is perfect. Duke has a good track record, and Flagg is known to play above the rim, from the perimeter, and anywhere he pleases. He stands to polish and improve more under the basketball program, a fitting preparation before he makes the jump to the NBA in 2025.