Jon Scheyer Opens Up: “I Didn’t Want Cooper to Leave Just Yet” — Duke Coach Wanted One More Year With Flagg Before NBA Jump
Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer made headlines this week when he opened up about Cooper Flagg’s decision to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft, saying candidly that he wished Flagg had stayed one more year to continue developing under the Blue Devils program.
In a heartfelt moment during an offseason press conference, Scheyer expressed his admiration for Flagg’s talent—but also his belief that the 18-year-old phenom could have benefited greatly from another year of college basketball before stepping into the grueling world of the NBA.
“I didn’t want Cooper to leave just yet,” Scheyer admitted. “The NBA is a whole different level of intensity. College gives you the space to stumble, to grow, to build resilience. And I thought another year here at Duke could’ve made him even more complete—mentally and physically.”
Flagg’s Meteoric Rise
Cooper Flagg, who arrived in Durham as the No. 1 recruit in the country, lived up to every bit of the hype in his freshman season. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, Flagg not only led Duke to the Elite Eight but also earned CBS Sports National Player of the Year honors.
His skillset and IQ have drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Jayson Tatum and Kawhi Leonard, and most mock drafts project him as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Coach Scheyer: NBA is “No Joke”
Despite the accolades, Scheyer—himself a former Duke player who transitioned to coaching under Mike Krzyzewski—knows how steep the learning curve is in the pros.
“The NBA is no joke,” he said. “The travel, the physicality, the schedule—it’s brutal. I just wanted him to build a little more foundation here. Grow more as a leader, as a person. Because once you go pro, there’s no buffer. You’re in the deep end immediately.”
Scheyer was quick to emphasize that he fully supports Flagg’s decision and that there’s no bad blood between them. In fact, he sees Flagg as part of Duke’s legacy forever.
“You never know how a kid feels,” Scheyer added. “He believed it was time. And look, he has the talent to make it work. I’m proud of him. I just wish we had one more ride together.”
The Blue Devils Move Forward
With Flagg now preparing for the NBA Draft in June, the Blue Devils are entering a transition phase. Scheyer and his staff are leaning into both recruiting and the transfer portal to replenish the roster, but the loss of a generational player like Flagg will undoubtedly be felt.
Still, Scheyer remains optimistic:
“We’ll adjust. That’s what Duke does. But Cooper will always have a home here.”
As Duke begins looking ahead to the 2025–26 season, Scheyer’s comments offer a poignant reminder: even in a sport filled with business decisions and bright lights, coaches still care deeply about the human journey behind the player.
