Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, and Khaman Maluach Will Stay at Duke on One Condition—Revealed
In a stunning twist that has college basketball buzzing, four of Duke’s most talented players—Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, and Khaman Maluach—are reportedly open to staying at Duke for another season, but only under one surprising condition: a guaranteed national championship push.
According to a fictional insider report from Blue Devil Insider, the star-studded quartet has held private conversations with head coach Jon Scheyer and members of the Duke athletics department, laying out their desire to build a super team that can go all the way in the 2025-26 NCAA season. The condition? Duke must secure key returning veterans and elite incoming transfers to ensure a roster stacked with championship-caliber depth.
“They’re not interested in just running it back—they want to run it back and win it all,” said a source close to the team. “The talent is there, but these guys want assurances that Duke will be aggressive in the portal, in recruitment, and in building a team that can dominate from day one.”
This potential “stay together” scenario is almost unheard of in today’s one-and-done era. Tyrese Proctor, a gifted point guard with NBA-ready court vision, was expected to declare for the draft this year. Cooper Flagg, considered by many to be the most complete prospect in years, was all but guaranteed to be a top pick in 2026. Knueppel, one of the smoothest shooters in the country, and Maluach, a 7’2” defensive force from South Sudan, are both projected to have strong professional futures.
So why stay?
“Legacy,” said former Duke legend (fictional quote) Jay Williams. “These guys don’t just want to make the league. They want to be remembered. They want banners. And they believe that if they stick together, they can do something legendary.”
Flagg, in particular, has become the unofficial leader of the movement. According to his mother, Janet Flagg, who recently spoke to Courtside Weekly, Cooper has been in constant talks with his teammates about “making history, not just highlights.”
“The chemistry these guys have is real,” she said. “They’re thinking like brothers. And brothers want to finish what they started.”
But the ball is now in Duke’s court—literally. In order to make this vision a reality, the coaching staff must make strategic moves in the transfer portal and keep current role players like Jared McCain and Mark Mitchell from leaving. There’s also talk of a potential reunion with former Blue Devil Jeremy Roach, who could return as a veteran leader if he withdraws from the NBA Draft.
The Blue Devil fanbase is electric with hope. A “One More Year” campaign has already begun trending on social media, with fans urging the players to stick together for what could be a dynasty-level run.
If Duke can meet the players’ one condition—a fully loaded, championship-ready roster—college basketball might witness one of the most star-powered returns in recent memory. For now, the countdown is on, and all eyes are on Durham.
