The next time we see Cooper Flagg on the court could be March Madness.
Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, will miss Saturday’s ACC title game, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer told reporters on Friday.
Top-ranked Duke beat UNC 74-71 in the semifinal without Flagg and will have to run it back if it hopes to claim the conference championship against either No. 2 Louisville or No. 3 Clemson.
Flagg — the six-foot-nine freshman star named Tuesday as the ACC player and newcomer of the year by The Associated Press — sprained his ankle during Thursday’s quarterfinals.
He walked with no boot and no major limp when he arrived at Spectrum Center before the Friday game. He kept his hands in his pockets as he walked with his every step being documented by TV cameras and photographers, a nod to his status as a potential No. 1 overall NBA draft pick whenever he decides to go pro.
The Blue Devils are headed toward a top seed in the NCAA tournament, which begins in earnest on Thursday and gives Flagg a full week of recovery since the injury.
Flagg’s versatility allows him to impact the game from anywhere on the floor as a scorer (18.9), rebounder (7.5), playmaker (4.1 assists) and defender (1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals).
–with files from The Associated Press
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