The national player of the week for men’s college basketball during Week 5 has been announced, and the honor goes to Cooper Flagg of Duke.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg has certainly met the expectations set for him as one of the top incoming freshmen in the nation. In a recent matchup against No. 2 Auburn, Flagg showcased his skills, contributing 16 of his 22 total points in a strong second half. Alongside, he recorded 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks, helping No. 4 Duke secure an 84-78 victory. He continued his impressive performances by scoring 20 points with 12 rebounds and two steals in a 79-65 triumph over Louisville. Currently, Flagg is leading Duke with an average of 17 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, along with 15 steals and 13 blocked shots, a performance that has fans speculating about his potential move to the NBA lottery after what is expected to be his only collegiate season.
In the runner-up category, we have Tamar Bates from Missouri. The senior guard, standing at 6-foot-5, played a pivotal role in securing a 76-67 victory against their longstanding rival, then-No. 1 Kansas. Bates had an outstanding game, scoring 29 points and making a remarkable 9 of 15 shots, including two successful three-pointers and converting all nine of his free throw attempts. He is currently leading the Missouri team with an average of 14.1 points per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 54% from the field this season.
Honorable mentions for this week include Ian Schieffelin from Clemson, Vladislav Goldin from Michigan, and Pop Isaacs from Creighton, all of whom have made noteworthy contributions to their teams.
Looking ahead, keep an eye on Hassan Diarra from UConn. Following a tough outing at the Maui Invitational where they lost all three games, the Huskies have made a significant turnaround, with Diarra being a key figure in this resurgence. The 6-foot-2 senior guard demonstrated remarkable efficiency, registering 18 assists against just three turnovers during UConn’s victories over Baylor and Texas. The Huskies are set to face off against No. 8 Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, and they will be looking for more smart playmaking from Diarra to maintain their winning momentum.