Duke’s Flagg Becomes Fourth Freshman in History to Capture the Prestigious Wooden Award

Duke’s freshman star Cooper Flagg has claimed the 2025 Wooden Award, a prestigious honor recognizing the best player in college basketball. He’s only the fourth freshman ever to receive this award, which was announced during ESPN’s College GameDay.

Flagg’s journey to this accolade has been impressive. He outperformed notable players like Auburn’s Johni Broome and other finalists from Florida, Alabama, and Purdue. Throughout the season, Flagg displayed remarkable skill, leading Duke to the ACC regular-season and tournament championships, and helping the team reach its first Final Four since Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.

Currently, Flagg averages 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His breakout moment came in January when he set the ACC freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame, showcasing his ability to dominate the game. In fact, that month, he averaged 25.4 points and shot nearly 58% from the field.

This year, Flagg also picked up the ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards. His performance throughout the season has many experts speculating that he could be the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Despite a setback from an ankle injury that sidelined him during the ACC semifinals and championship games, Flagg bounced back in the NCAA tournament, proving he could handle the pressure during critical matchups. A standout moment came against Arizona in the Sweet 16, where he scored 30 points.

Historically, he joins a select group of freshmen who have won the Wooden Award. The last freshman winner was Duke’s Zion Williamson in 2019, with other winners including Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. The Wooden Award has recognized top performers since 1977, with Purdue’s Zach Edey recently winning it twice in a row.

Fans on social media have expressed excitement about Flagg’s achievement, with many considering him a future NBA superstar. The energy around Duke basketball is palpable, and Flagg’s performance this season has certainly contributed to that excitement.



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