AJ Dybantsa drops 5-word reaction as $4.3 million NIL-valued Cooper Flagg registers career-high night

Cooper Flagg had the best outing of his college career and AJ Dybantsa shared his thoughts on the performance. The Duke freshman scored a career-high 42 points in the Blue Devils' 86-78 win over Notre Dame on Saturday. He also had six rebounds and seven assists.

Dybantsa, a BYU Cougars commit, reacted to the $4.3 million NIL-valued (per On3) forward's stats via his Instagram story.

"ahh, both dropped 40 piece," Dybantsa wrote.

AJ Dybantsa's reaction to Flagg (Instagram/@aj.dybantsa)

Dybantsa referred to his 41-point outing against Western Reserve Academy on Saturday at the Iverson Classic. On Friday, he scored 31 against The Patrick School (New Jersey). The 2025 class' No. 1 recruit is playing his final season at Utah Prep.

In the postgame presser, Flagg shared his thoughts on his performance.

"It feels great to do it with this group of guys and an incredible group, so I’m just really happy to do it tonight," Flagg said.

The feat was more special as he achieved it in front of Duke fans.

"It feels great to have the students back in Cameron (Indoor Stadium) back from the holiday break, so it’s an incredible environment," Flagg said. "Just had to battle it all and get the win."

Cooper Flagg credits his father for the incredible outing

Cooper Flagg's 42 points set the record for most by a freshman in Duke history and the ACC. Zion Williamson held the program record previously after his 35-point performance against Syracuse in 2019.

Flagg credited the workouts with his father over the holiday break for his success

"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 in the postgame presser. "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.

"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."

After a slow start, Flagg has taken off and is averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.