Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg is expected to be available for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, as confirmed by NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball, Dan Gavitt, during an interview with CBS Sports on Saturday. Flagg, who is a key player for the Blue Devils, will not participate in Saturday night's ACC Tournament championship game against Louisville due to a left ankle injury he sustained on Thursday.
Flagg did not play in the semifinal victory against North Carolina on Friday, raising concerns among fans and analysts. However, Gavitt provided some reassurance, stating, "What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC, Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA Tournament." He downplayed worries about how the injury might affect Duke's seeding in the March Madness bracket, emphasizing that it should not impact where the team is placed.
Flagg is not the only significant injury being monitored, as Gavitt noted that player availability is always a critical factor when evaluating teams. Injuries can influence seeding, particularly if a key player is unable to participate in the NCAA Tournament. "Player availability is also considered in evaluating a team during the regular season based on player injuries and missed games," he added.
As the Blue Devils make a strong push for the ACC Tournament title and aim for the coveted No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, Flagg continues to recover from his sprained ankle. Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, provided an update postgame on Friday, stating, "He's doing better. Sprained ankle, all the imaging came back negative. He sprained it pretty good, though. It's a good sprain. I'm not breaking any news. He's not going to play tomorrow." Scheyer stressed the importance of monitoring Flagg's recovery over the weekend, particularly with regards to swelling and mobility.
The incident occurred in the first half of the quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech, where Flagg collapsed to the court after securing a defensive rebound. The crowd gasped as he clutched his left ankle in visible pain. Flagg rolled around on the floor before being assisted by his teammates to the bench, where he expressed his discomfort by slamming his fist into the chair. The ESPN broadcast captured the intensity of the moment as trainers evaluated his injury, revealing Flagg's frustration and pain.
Following the injury, Flagg was taken to the locker room for further evaluation and was seen in a wheelchair with his left shoe removed. Despite not returning to the game, he made an appearance on the Duke bench in the second half, still in uniform. As the postseason unfolds, Flagg has been a standout player, leading Duke in scoring with an impressive average of 19.4 points per game, along with 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
As fans await further updates on Cooper Flagg's recovery, his potential return for the NCAA Tournament remains a focal point for Duke's championship aspirations.
