7 Blue Devils Entering Their Final Season With Duke Basketball
By Cem Yolbulan
The time we have all been waiting for is here. The Duke Blue Devils are opening their 2024-25 basketball season on Monday at Cameron Indoor Stadium against the Maine Black Bears. After a couple of relatively easy games, Duke plays Kentucky, Arizona, and Kansas throughout the month of November.
Once the season kicks off, all eyes will obviously be on Cooper Flagg and the impressive freshman class. There are a few players the fans should pay close attention to as this will likely be their final season in Durham. Let's take a look.
Cooper Flagg
This one is a no-brainer. The teenage phenom is arguably the best player in the country and is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Things would have to go very wrong for him to not be a top-five pick in the draft, making him a surefire candidate to be a one-and-done.
Flagg doesn't turn 18 until December. He has managed to be the best player in his class while also being one of the youngest. He has already earned every possible honor for a high school player, including USA Basketball Athlete of the Year, McDonald's All-American, and national high school player of the year. He spent the summer playing on the USA Select team to practice with Team USA in their preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The Montverde Academy graduate combines rare physical and athletic tools. He projects to be one of the best defensive players in the country as a freshman while providing high-level scoring and athleticism on the other end of the floor. He will be a joy to watch for Duke fans all season.