"Kam Jones still exists": College hoops fans discuss if Cooper Flagg can become the 2025 National Player of the Year

Modified Jan 14, 2025 15:56 GMT

NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Duke - Source: Imagn

Cooper Flagg entered his collegiate career at Duke with high expectations after gaining national attention in high school. He is meeting those expectations, competing for the title of National Player of the Year.

A Bleacher Report Instagram post on Monday asked fans if Flagg is now the favorite for the award after Auburn star Johni Broome was sidelined indefinitely due to injury.

"With Johni Beoome out indefinitely with an ankle injury, is Cooper Flagg now the favorite to win National Player of the Year?" the post caption read.

It didn't take long for fans to respond to the post. Some fans said Kam Jones and Ace Bailey deserve to be in the conversation alongside Flagg.

"Kam Jones still exists," one fan said.

A fan reacts to post about Cooper Flagg. (Instagram/@br_hoops)

"Ppl told me Ace Bailey cleared," another fan said.

A fan reacts to post about Flagg. (Instagram/@br_hoops)

"I feel like Broome would be here but idk how much his injury will affect it for him," one fan replied.

Others focused more on Flagg, having viewed him as the favorite from the start due to his success as a freshman for the Blue Devils.

"He always was the favorite," one fan said.

"Can't believe this dude is supposed to be in highschool man," a fan said.

"Yes, he's the best player in the country," one fan said.

What's next for Cooper Flagg & Duke?

Cooper Flagg has shown the best traits of his game as a freshman for the Duke Blue Devils.

Flagg is averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He shoots 47.9% from the field, including 34.5% from beyond the arc.

His efforts have helped No. 3 Duke boast a 14-2 record, including a perfect 6-0 start in conference play. They are putting up 80.4 ppg on shooting splits of 47.8% overall and 36.6% from downtown, beating opponents by a margin of 20.8 ppg.

The Blue Devils will host the Miami Hurricanes at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

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Edited by Ribin Peter