Top NBA prospect Cooper Flagg hinted in an interview that he might stay at Duke University for another year.
Flagg, who is from Newport, Maine, is a freshman at Duke and has been a standout player on the school’s Blue Devils basketball team, averaging more than 19 points per game.
The news is notable because Flagg is widely regarded as this year’s number one NBA draft prospect.
In an interview with the Athletic, Flagg reportedly said, “I want to come back next year.”
It was unclear from the article whether Flagg is actually considering another year with Duke.
But staying with the Blue Devils could mean earning a lot less next year, even with his lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) agreement, an avenue through which star college athletes can earn money.
Flagg’s current NIL value is estimated at $4.8 million, according to On3.
By contrast, the estimated rookie salary for the top draft pick in the 2025-2026 season is more than $11 million.
