"Late nights and early mornings with dad": Cooper Flagg recounts gym sessions growing up, credits duo's recent workouts for post-holiday success

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg revealed that working out at the gym with his father was the secret of his recent resurgence on the hardcourt. The 6-foot-9 five-star freshman was tearing the hoops recently, averaging 27.3 points per game in the Blue Devils' four wins beginning on New Year's Eve.

And on Saturday, Flagg dropped a career-high 42 points, on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-pointers. He also made 16-of-17 attempts from free throws and added up six rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 36 minutes of action, helping Duke defeat Notre Dame 86-78.

Post-game, Flagg was asked about what he did during the holiday break which impacted his overall game in the past two weeks, his answer was unconventional for most players working under modern workout and conditioning regimes nowadays.

"I think something that I can look back to over the holiday break is just getting back in the gym with my dad," Flagg said. "Not even any specific thing, we were working out. I grew up in the gym with my dad late nights and early mornings with him this is bonding for me."

The frontrunner for the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft stressed he doesn't need any modern techniques to be better on the court. It's just more of an old-school bonding in the gym with his father that did the trick for him.

"So I think to get in the gym with my dad and just kind of having old experience. It was really good for my mental (aspect). It kind of put me in a really good spot," he said.

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Cooper Flagg continues to have confidence in his shooting skills

Cooper Flagg believes his shooting is top-caliber and he's confident about it even if it doesn't fall in at some games.

When asked about what he tweaked in his shooting mechanics during the holiday break to look better in the past four games, Flagg didn't go into the specifics and noted that he's always confident in his abilities and knows that his shots will fall in all of a sudden.

"I don't think it's anything different for me. I think there is a lot of confidence for me. Kind of started off slow this year. But I'm confident of myself and I know well I can shoot the ball. So I'm always going to stay ready and take my shots," the Duke guard said.

Flagg has shot 67% from the field over the past four games, including an amazing 64.3% from the 3-point line. He was also automatic from the free-throw line, connecting 91.4% of his foul shots during that string of games.

Cooper Flagg has led the No. 4-ranked Duke to the top of the ACC with a 6-0 mark and 14-2 overall. The Blue Devils troop back to the Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday to face the struggling Miami Hurricanes (4-12, 0-5 in ACC). Miami is coming off a 78-88 defeat to Wake Forest.

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Will Cooper Flagg continue his hot-shooting night in Duke's next game against Miami? Let us know your insights in the comments section.