Cooper Flagg: Project No. 1 draft pick, Duke prodigy, the face of college basketball – he’s all that. Averaging double digits in almost every game, he is living up to the insane hype, and cruising through the season. Well, until now. The recent game against Virginia may have seen the freshman put up a decent performance, but there was this one moment that sent social media into a frenzy. 

So, Duke’s been on a roll lately with three straight wins after their only conference loss to Clemson. But things weren’t as smooth as you might expect during their ACC matchup against Virginia on Monday night. The game had its fair share of highs and lows for both teams.

But the real talk came after Virginia’s Anthony Robinson came off the bench and delivered one of the night’s most electrifying plays. As Flagg charged to the basket in the second half for what looked like a big slam, Robinson wasn’t having it. He jumped up and denied the freshman phenom’s dunk attempt, sending Flagg crashing to the floor. 

The crowd at John Paul Jones Arena went absolutely wild, and for a second there, it seemed like Robinson might have just made a statement.

But Flagg wasn’t about to let that block define his night. Even though he got swatted, he still posted an impressive double-double in just the first half of the game, finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds. And Robinson’s heroic block didn’t help Virginia in the end. 

Despite the massive rejection, Duke still cruised to an 80-61 victory, extending their impressive season record to 23-3. On the other hand, Virginia dropped to 13-13 on the year. For a brief moment, Virginia was hanging with Duke. They even led 12-11 five minutes into the game before Duke went on a 15-2 run.

Virginia tried to keep pace, but by halftime, they were down by 14. Coming out of the locker room, the Blue Devils wasted no time with an 8-0 run. They didn’t stop there, stretching their lead to as much as 27 points before easing off the pedal. Virginia did manage to trim the deficit to 18 before the final buzzer, but the game was pretty much decided.

But since the game, the Duke prodigy has gotten some serious heat on social media. People are calling him out, questioning his ability after that failed dunk attempt. 

Is Cooper Flagg the next big thing or just an overhyped prospect?

First up, someone said, “Cooper Flagg is a flopper and free throw merchant.” Well, the baller is known for his near-perfect free throw shooting at 81.6%, which is impressive. But his 3-point percentage is only 37.8%. Sure, that’s decent, but his overall shooting is still solid with a field goal percentage of 48.5%. So, while some criticize him, it’s clear he’s more than just that, even if his outside shooting could use a little work.

Then there’s this comment, “This play just convinced me Cooper Flagg is going to be a bust in the NBA.” The NBA, after all, is all about aggressive rim shots, big-time dunks, and physicality, right? So when Flagg got blocked in a recent game, it had some fans question his ability to thrive in the league.

Another fan weighed in with, “Cooper Flagg is not the guy.” Now, this one’s a bit harsh. People were calling Flagg “the IT guy,” a generational talent, but some fans believe he’s just another really good college athlete. His 19.8 points per game is solid, sure, but isn’t it fair to wonder if he can live up to all the hype? Even some doubt if he is the right first pick choice. 

“Am I crazy for thinking Cooper Flagg could save the NBA?” added another. The NBA has been looking for an American superstar to carry the torch since Steph Curry, and there’s no denying that Flagg has the potential. But college fame doesn’t always translate to pro success. It’s a rare feat, and while the hype is real, we need to see how he fares once the pressure’s on at the pro level. 

Finally, there’s this, “Lowkey Cooper Flagg overrated.” Sure, Flagg has had some impressive performances, but his skills have led to comparisons with some big names like Zion Williamson, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons. That’s some heavy company to be in, right? The 6’9 guard has had one of the most hyped freshman seasons in years, and some are wondering if he can live up to that immense expectation. The attention he’s getting is almost on par with what LeBron James received back in 2003. 

So, here we are. The hype might have dimmed a little but we can’t deny that the excitement surrounding Cooper Flagg is real. With whispers that he might stick around at Duke for another year, the question remains: Can he make the jump to the NBA and live up to all the expectations? Let’s see what happens when he actually makes the leap.