DURHAM, N.C. — On a thrilling night in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Cooper Flagg kicked off his highly awaited regular-season journey with the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils against Maine. The 6-foot-9 forward felt a mix of excitement and emotions as he faced his home-state team, which has deep connections to his family.
As the top-ranked recruit in the nation and a preseason All-American, Flagg made a significant impact by scoring 18 points, securing seven rebounds, facilitating five assists, and delivering a highlight-reel dunk in Duke’s commanding 96-62 victory. This matchup was particularly special for him; the Maine Black Bears are a team he grew up watching, and it was the program where his mother once played.
Flagg reflected on the emotional weight of the game, stating, “Seeing Maine across their chest brought back a lot of memories from my youth. It made me feel a lot more emotions, but I managed to focus and perform.” His brother, Ace, was in attendance, as he will be playing for Maine next season, adding another layer of significance to the evening.
Although Flagg didn’t start with a stellar shooting game, his all-around performance shone through. He completed 6 of 15 shots in about 30 minutes, hitting all six free throws, but struggled from beyond the arc, missing all four attempts from three-point range. Despite this, his versatility was evident; he contributed on both ends of the court, making plays in transition and on the boards.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer noted Flagg’s potential, mentioning, “He was on the verge of a 25-point game, and several of those shots will definitely fall. What excites me is how he elevates the team and plays with intensity on every possession.” Flagg drew attention from the Maine defense, eliciting fouls and providing assist opportunities to teammates like freshman Khaman Maluach.
His performance was characterized by energy and hustle. He displayed his competitive spirit by diving for a loose ball, even while Duke had a 29-point lead, showcasing his commitment to the game. Teammate Tyrese Proctor remarked on Flagg’s natural approach, saying, “He plays the game simply but effectively, making every right move.”
Flagg’s first points came from the charity stripe, followed by his initial field goal from a stickback before halftime. The crowd erupted when he executed an impressive dunk, weaving around a defender to leap from near the charge circle with full extension.
However, his night concluded earlier than anticipated after he landed awkwardly and experienced cramps with just over three minutes left in the game. Medical staff attended to Flagg, who eventually made it back to the bench, visibly recuperating while hydrating.
Post-game, Scheyer expressed his appreciation for Flagg’s candidness about the emotional experience of facing Maine, a program he holds dear. Black Bears coach Chris Markwood shared that it was a special moment for them as well, remarking, “It’s rare to see this type of achievement come from Maine.” He emphasized the support that Flagg has from the entire state, eagerly awaiting each of his performances on this remarkable journey from a small town to a prestigious arena.