DURHAM, N.C. — In a stunning display of skill and determination, Cooper Flagg, an 18-year-old freshman, made history on Saturday by scoring 42 points in Duke’s 86-78 victory over Notre Dame. This remarkable achievement set a new Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record for points scored by a freshman in a single game, a milestone previously held at 41 points since 2013.
Flagg, standing at 6-foot-9, showcased his talent early in the game with a smooth 3-pointer from the wing, followed by another three from the left corner shortly after. With no signs of hesitation, Flagg was on a mission to leave his mark, and he did just that as the fourth-ranked Blue Devils celebrated this historic win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
After the game, Flagg expressed that he was simply focused on the game rather than the statistics. “When I’m in the game, I don’t really know what’s going on. I’m just playing locked in,” he remarked. Flagg had been under scrutiny all season as a potential top pick for the NBA Draft, capturing attention with his performances that led to critiques of both his high and low moments throughout the year.
Throughout the season, Flagg had shown glimpses of brilliance, including a spectacular coast-to-coast dunk against Pittsburgh earlier this week. However, his stellar 42-point outing beat the previous record of 26 points he had set earlier in the season. His scoring spree was the highest for a Duke player at home since 1976 and the most by any Blue Devil since Danny Ferry’s staggering 58 points in 1988.
Teammate Sion James commended Flagg’s natural playing style, stating, “He’s being himself. He’s not forcing anything; he’s just being a player, taking the looks as they come.” The performance saw Flagg hitting 11 of 14 shots in about 36 minutes, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. His ability to penetrate the defense resulted in earning 17 free throw opportunities, a record for any Duke freshman.
Flagg not only excelled in scoring but contributed with six rebounds and seven assists, including a highlight alley-oop pass to 7-2 teammate Khaman Maluach on the opening possession. Notre Dame’s coach, Micah Shrewsberry, acknowledged the effectiveness of Duke’s roster, emphasizing the strategic choice of players who complement Flagg’s skill set.
As the game progressed, Flagg maintained aggressive play, utilizing the early scoring opportunities to build momentum. There was a moment of tension when Duke’s coach, Jon Scheyer, received a rare technical foul after expressing frustration over a call against Flagg. He emphasized the necessity for referees to recognize the challenges his star player faces, as defenders frequently resort to physical tactics to limit his effectiveness.
Flagg’s historic night further cemented his place in Duke and ACC folklore, surpassing the previous freshman record while joining the elite ranks of players who have scored 40-plus points as a freshman in conference history. He achieved this milestone with a pair of free throws with under 26 seconds remaining, and cheers from the passionate “Cameron Crazies” filled the arena as he walked to the line for his record-setting attempts.
Reflecting on his achievement, Flagg’s plans for celebrating were modest: “Probably just going to hang out with my teammates, have a chill night. There’s a lot of good basketball games on tonight.”
