Cooper Flagg reveals why he chose Duke over 2X national champ Dan Hurley's UConn in latest interview

Duke Blue Devils commit Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He was a highly recruited prospect with Duke coach Jon Scheyer managing to beat rival UConn coach Dan Hurley for his commitment.

On "The Brotherhood" podcast, Flagg revealed why he chose to join the Blue Devils instead of two-time national championship-winning coach Dan Hurley at UConn.

“It was something coach Scheyer had stressed to me a lot going through the whole process was about the feel,” Flagg said. “Like I would know when I got the feeling of where I wanted to be. I think it really came down to when I came on my visit, I was able to meet all the guys on our team last year, interact with the coaches a bunch more.

“Just kind’ve had that feeling of being on campus, really just imagining myself being here, walking the same places that you guys were walking to practice and the halls. Once I kind’ve felt that, I kind’ve had the feeling like, this is where I wanted to be. And that’s kind’ve what helped to propel my decision."

Flagg was one of 15 players chosen to help Team USA prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He is the first collegiate player since Doug McDermott and Marcus Smart in 2013 to be named to the Select team.

Dan Hurley shares funny Cooper Flagg recruitment story

UConn coach Dan Hurley has become the kingpin of college basketball, establishing a dynasty in Storrs with a dominant Huskies team that has run past all challengers in the past two years.

Even with an already impressive roster for next season, Hurley still could not resist the temptation to recruit Cooper Flagg. On "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Hurley revealed how he wrapped up his job interview with the LA Lakers early so he could attend a Billy Joel concert after missing out on one last year because he was hosting Flagg and his family.

"You know, Cooper, appreciate you, hope you have a great year, hope to meet you in the Final Four next year," Hurley said. "But we had to cancel going to a Billy Joel concert last September to accommodate Cooper and Kelly [his mother] and his family for an official visit.

"And as big a moment it was in my career to make a huge decision, I was not missing Billy Joel at one of his last concerts at the Garden."

College basketball fans will hope that Cooper Flagg can elevate the Duke Blue Devils to contention status and potentially see how he would fare against a team coached by Dan Hurley.