Without Cooper Flagg, Duke still got the job done. The Blue Devils locked in a 73-62 win over Louisville to clinch the ACC tournament title. It’s their first time winning both the regular-season ACC title and the conference tournament in the same year since 2006. But while Flagg wasn’t lighting up the court, the cameras sure didn’t forget about him. Sitting on the sidelines, he had something else shining.

A glowing necklace with the ‘number 32’ on it!!

So, what’s the deal? You’re probably thinking, “Wait, doesn’t Flagg wear No. 2?” Well, let’s break it down for you.

Before stepping onto Duke’s campus, the freshman star rocked the No. 32 jersey throughout his high school career, first at Nokomis Regional High and later at Montverde Academy. And there’s a pretty sweet reason behind it—his mom, Kelly Flagg. “My mom had worn [No. 32] in high school,” Flagg said.

If that wasn’t enough, he later found out another reason. “Then her teammate in college, Donovan Clingan’s mom, had also worn it, and she had passed away,” no. 2 shared. “So I think I started wearing it because [my mom] wore it originally. Then having learned that story and hearing that, it gave me more of a reason to want to wear it… I just fell in love with the number.”

And undoubtedly, 32 was his number. It treated him well. Flagg dominated in high school, finishing as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2024 per 247Sports. He led a stacked Montverde squad, one of the most loaded high school teams ever, and picked up Gatorade Men’s Athlete of the Year honors along the way. And he was a McDonald’s All-American, too.

But when the 18-year-old got to Duke, he couldn’t keep 32 because of Christian Laettner. Duke retired his number (32) in 1992 to honor one of the greatest players in NCAA history. So, Flagg had to pick a new number, and that’s where things get even more meaningful.

Instead of randomly picking a jersey number, he chose No. 2 to honor Donovan Kurt, a player from Nokomis Regional High who was teammates with his older brother, Hunter. “My older brother was teammates and close friends with this kid, Donovan Kurt, and he had gotten cancer and passed away just a little while ago,” Flagg shared on The Brotherhood Podcast. “He really impacted my life in a big way. Being able to represent him really meant a lot to me.”

So, while he can’t wear No. 32 on his jersey anymore, Flagg found a way to keep it close—literally, around his neck. It’s a little piece of his past, his family, and his journey, all wrapped up in one shining tribute. Meanwhile, no. 2 has been treating him pretty well, too. The baller wasted no time making his mark in his freshman year, becoming a game-changer for Duke.

The Blue Devils are looking like a lock for a No. 1 seed, and Flagg has been a huge part of that success. He’s already smashed freshman scoring records for both Duke and the ACC. All season long, he’s been the guy, leading Duke in multiple stats and stepping up in big moments. And not to forget, he’s also sitting at the top of NBA Draft boards.

He may have missed Duke’s last two ACC tournament games, but things are looking good for March.

Cooper Flagg cleared for NCAA tournament  

Duke fans can breathe a sigh of relief because their star freshman is all set to return just in time for the NCAA tournament. NCAA senior VP Dan Gavitt confirmed that Flagg’s recovery is on track, and better yet, his absence in the ACC tournament won’t mess with Duke’s seeding on Selection Sunday. 

If you missed it, Flagg went down in Duke’s quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech, landing awkwardly on his left ankle while grabbing a defensive rebound. It looked bad—he had to be carried off and was even wheeled away for further evaluation. Naturally, fans were freaking out. But then came the good news: X-rays showed no structural damage. He was, though, ruled out for the rest of the ACC tournament. Even without Flagg, the Blue Devils pulled through and won the ACC title. 

But going forward, the team needs him. “What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC is that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA tournament,” Gavitt said. “Player availability is always a concern and consideration, but in this case, don’t expect it to impact their seeding.”

And that’s huge because March Madness is a whole different beast. Also, Duke has been dealing with another injury. Maliq Brown missed Friday and Saturday’s games with a shoulder issue, and it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for the tournament. And the Blue Devils felt the duo’s absence. They barely scraped by in their rivalry game against UNC, blowing a comfy first-half lead and escaping with just a three-point win.

So yes, if Duke wants to make a real case for the title, they need their squad at full strength, especially Flagg. March is all about having your best guys ready to roll, and with Cooper Flagg back in action, the Blue Devils are at their best to chase that championship.