Duke's Cooper Flagg has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the John R. Wooden Award, which honors him as the top player in NCAA men's basketball. This announcement was made on Saturday during a broadcast on ESPN. College GameDay This solidifies Flagg's position as one of the sport’s most influential newcomers and highlights a season marked by outstanding performance and reliability.
Flagg becomes just the fourth freshman to win the award since its inception in 1977, joining Kevin Durant (2007), Anthony Davis (2012), and Zion Williamson (2019). His selection comes ahead of fellow finalists Johni Broome (Auburn), Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida), Mark Sears (Alabama), and Braden Smith (Purdue).
Consistency at the Heart of Flagg’s Ascension
Throughout the entire season leading up to Duke's journey in the Final Four, Flagg has consistently performed at a high level. This 6-foot-9 forward is putting up averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per contest, with field-goal and three-point percentages standing at 48.3% and 37.4%, respectively. His versatility in influencing games in various ways has solidified his position as a key player for a Duke squad that clinched both the ACC regular-season and tournament championships.
In January, his exceptional play against Notre Dame, where he scored 42 points along with grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists, broke the ACC freshman scoring record. This achievement was the peak of a month during which he consistently scored more than 25 points each game. The string of dominant performances from Flagg positioned him strongly for potential national accolades heading into the postseason.
Award Comes After Year of Honors
Flagg’s achievements have paralleled his team’s accomplishments. He earned both the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year honors, and he was also chosen for the First Team All-America squad by the Associated Press. His stellar performance has led Duke to their initial Final Four berth since 2022, with the team preparing to compete against Houston for a chance at the championship.
Even though Flagg sat out two games at the ACC Tournament because of an ankle injury, he came back strong in the NCAA Tournament. This included scoring 30 points in Duke’s victory over Arizona in the Sweet 16 round.
As his first season continues, Flagg’s influence is unmistakable—and with the NBA Draft approaching, he seems ready to advance to the next stage of what promises to be a successful pro career.
