UNC head coach Hubert Davis says Cooper Flagg’s biggest skill is his consistent effort on both ends of the court.
- Flagg had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in his first Duke-UNC game, which Duke won easily.
- The Tar Heels will host Flagg and the Blue Devils on Saturday for the 264th meeting of the rivals.
Cooper Flagg, the expected No. 1 choice in the 2025 NBA Draft, checks a lot of boxes with his performance as a rookie star for Duke basketball.
On Monday, during the season’s final ACC coaches teleconference, UNC head coach Hubert Davis was questioned about Flagg’s impact. On Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPN), the Tar Heels will meet Flagg and the Blue Devils at the Smith Center.
As he presented his response, Davis highlighted what he believes is Flagg’s best attribute on the court.
“He excels at playing hard, which is likely his greatest strength. “He’s a tough kid who always plays at full speed on both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “And it takes talent to be able to play that hard all the time. And it is something Cooper Flagg does.”
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Davis and the Heels witnessed it firsthand on February 1, when Flagg and the Blue Devils defeated UNC 87-70 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. That night, the 6-foot-9 Maine native scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, assisted seven times, stole three, and blocked two shots.
“What makes him effective is that he regularly makes plays on both ends of the court. “That is what makes him impactful,” Davis said of Flagg.
“He can guard anyone on the floor because of his length and quickness. Offensively, he’s a three-level scorer who can also be fouled, get to the free throw line, and convert free throws. “He can get to the offensive glass and bring the ball up himself in transition.”
Flagg became the third Blue Devil in Duke-UNC history to score 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists against the Tar Heels in his debut. He joins Danny Ferry (1988) and Tyus Jones (2015) on the list.
The Tobacco Road foes will meet for the 264th time on Saturday, with ESPN’s College GameDay in Chapel Hill hosting the morning program at the Smith Center.
