Cooper Flagg isn’t just redefining what it means to be a freshman star—he’s cashing in while doing it. At just 18, he’s leading Duke in nearly every statistical category, carving his name into college basketball lore with every game. But beyond the highlight dunks and stat-stuffing performances, Flagg’s brand is booming. His NIL valuation is soaring, fueled by major deals with New Balance, Gatorade, and Fanatics. He’s got 17 problems to handle on the court, but a weak NIL deal? Not even close.

According to On3.com, Flagg’s NIL evaluation skyrocketed by $550,000 on February 7, 2025, a 13% increase that now places him at $4.8 million. That makes him the second-highest-valued college athlete, trailing only Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The surge coincided with Flagg’s monster performance against Syracuse, a game that fueled Duke’s 16-game winning streak before it was snapped by Clemson on February 9.

The numbers behind his rise speak for themselves. Averaging 19.8 points per game, he ranks 17th in the NCAA per ESPN and 24th per NCAA.com. He’s also pulling down 7.6 rebounds per contest, tying him for 104th on ESPN’s board and ranking 99th on NCAA.com. His 4.0 assists per game, 48.3% shooting, and overall impact have solidified his place as the favorite for National Player of the Year honors.

and well they hint at only one thing Cooper and the Blue Devils might have 17 different teams to mow down in the ACC but well for the 17-year-old millionaire, player, and philanthropist NIL deals are a different matter altogether.

And, rightfully so as if one puts their mind to it since 1972 when the freshman NCAA eligibility was brought into play only 2 players – the slim reaper. aka Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson have won the unanimous NPOY honors, even Dallas Center and hall of famer Anthony Davis hasn’t done what these 2 were able to achieve. In fact, to put it into perspective only Ben Simmons has come close to leading his team in every major statistical category “as a Freshman”.

But Flagg? He’s not just likely to achieve this—he’s practically built for it.

Cooper Flagg: The young devil that leads Duke while defying limits, and dominating the game

Just check the numbers on Duke’s official site: he leads the team in minutes, field goals attempted (325) and made (157) at a 48.3% clip, free throws made (127) and attempted (156) at an elite 81.4% rate, and total rebounds (182), averaging 7.6 per game. Add in his 95 assists, 38 steals, and 29 blocks—across every major category, Flagg is Duke’s statistical leader. This isn’t just promise—it’s dominance in real time.

And yet, he hasn’t taken long to get here. Flagg turned 18 in December. He should be finishing high school, not leading the No. 4-ranked Blue Devils on a title chase. His only real competition for NPOY? Auburn’s 22-year-old Johni Broome. Off the court, Flagg’s NIL portfolio, featuring deals with  Gatorade, and New Balance, dwarfs those of most college athletes.

And well he did it again, in fact Flagg didn’t just play against California—he put on a show. Dropping 27 points in Duke’s commanding 78-57 win, he was unstoppable, going 8-for-14 from the field and a flawless 9-for-9 from the line. By halftime, he had already racked up 13 points, guiding Duke to a dominant 38-23 lead. And when he capped the night with a breakaway reverse dunk, he even let out a rare smile—maybe even he knows just how inevitable his dominance has become.

With the ACC under their control and March Madness looming, Flagg and the Blue Devils are locked in. History tells us the best freshmen don’t stick around long—but Flagg is making sure his name will.