Cooper Flagg suffers ankle injury in Duke's ACC tournament game against Georgia Tech

‎Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, suffered a left ankle injury during Thursday’s ACC Tournament game against Georgia Tech.

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‎Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday.

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

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‎Flagg, who was initially listed as doubtful to return, was ruled out for the remainder of the game after the injury occurred. With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, Flagg attempted to grab a rebound, but as he came down, his left foot landed awkwardly on an opposing player's foot. Flagg immediately collapsed to the court, clutching his left ankle in visible pain.

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‎Assisted by team staff, Flagg limped off the court and was quickly transported to the locker room for further evaluation. Reports indicated that he was taken by wheelchair for an initial examination of his ankle. Despite the injury, Flagg returned to the Duke bench in the second half, though he was not seen wearing a protective boot, suggesting that the injury may not be as severe as initially feared.

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‎As one of the most highly anticipated prospects in men's college basketball, Flagg is expected to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft, where many have speculated he could be the first overall selection. In his freshman season with Duke, Flagg averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game before the tournament.

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‎Flagg’s basketball journey began in Maine before he finished high school at Montverde Academy in Florida, where he was named the 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year and the top-rated recruit in the class. He committed to Duke in October 2023, after considering offers from several top schools, including the Connecticut Huskies.

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‎As Flagg’s NBA Draft stock continues to rise, the severity of his ankle injury could influence his final decision on whether to return for the NCAA tournament or move forward with his professional career.