8 freshmen who scored more points than Cooper Flagg in a game feat. Trae Young, Ben Simmons and more

Duke freshman and projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg exploded for 42 points on Saturday when the Duke Blue Devils took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. There are now only eight freshmen in the history of college basketball who have scored more than Flagg's 42 points.

NBA star Trae Young scored 42+ points four times during his freshman year, dropping a high of 48 points. Other freshmen who have scored more than 42 points include Ben Simmons, Malik Monk, Michael Beasley, Rodney Stuckey, Antoine Davis, Alex Francis, and Jalen Pickett.

Cooper Flagg sets new ACC scoring record after 42-point performance

Cooper Flagg delivered a historic performance on Saturday, cementing his place in Duke's record books during an 86-78 victory over Notre Dame at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The first-year forward scored 42 points, including 27 in the second half, breaking both the school and ACC freshman records for points in a single game.

Duke needed every bit of Flagg’s heroics to overcome a determined Notre Dame squad. Despite entering the game with a 7-8 record and suffering back-to-back one-point losses, the Fighting Irish put up a strong fight, sinking 14 of their 23 three-point attempts. They staged a late rally with a 13-0 run, cutting Duke’s lead to just five points with 62 seconds remaining.

However, Flagg’s poise and scoring ensured the Blue Devils stayed in control. Flagg shot an impressive 11-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Since Duke resumed play on Dec. 31, Flagg has been on fire, shooting 66.7% overall (64.3% from 3-point range). His final free throw in the closing seconds sealed not only the win but also his record-breaking achievement.

He also added seven assists and six rebounds to his stat line. With this performance, Flagg continues to solidify his status as a rising star. He is now averaging 19.1 points per game this season, and for Duke fans, Saturday’s game was a glimpse of the bright future. With two more months left in his freshman season, he’s already rewriting records and proving to be a key player for his team.