Cooper Flagg, a top high school basketball recruit from Maine, made headlines when he committed to Duke University, bypassing other prestigious programs, including Alabama. Flagg’s recruitment was a highly competitive process, with several powerhouse schools vying for his commitment. However, Alabama’s head coach Nate Oats recently revisited his team’s efforts in recruiting Flagg, describing the entire experience as “pointless” in hindsight.
Alabama had a strong case for landing Flagg, especially after the team’s historic run to the Final Four in 2023. Under Oats, the Crimson Tide had become a force in college basketball, known for their up-tempo play and strong recruiting efforts. Despite this, Flagg ultimately chose Duke, a school with a rich basketball tradition and a history of developing NBA talent.
Oats’ comments came after a string of successful performances by Flagg in his freshman year at Duke, where he quickly became a standout player. Flagg’s decision to commit to the Blue Devils was a blow to Alabama’s recruiting efforts, and Oats reflected on the recruitment process, acknowledging the challenge of competing for top-tier talent like Flagg, who had an array of options at his disposal.
In retrospect, Oats referred to the recruitment of Flagg as “pointless,” perhaps highlighting the difficulty of competing with schools like Duke, which is known for attracting elite players year after year. This statement also reflects the intense nature of recruiting in college basketball, where even the best efforts may not be enough to secure commitments from top prospects.
Flagg’s decision to attend Duke, a school that has produced numerous NBA stars, was driven by multiple factors, including the program’s strong track record of player development, its prestigious basketball legacy, and the opportunity to play under coach Jon Scheyer. Flagg’s skills and versatile game, which include scoring, rebounding, and defending at a high level, fit well within Duke’s system, allowing him to thrive as a freshman.
As Flagg’s freshman season progressed, he proved Oats’ comments somewhat prescient, as he became one of the most talked-about players in college basketball. In a memorable performance during March Madness, Flagg scored 30 points, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded seven assists in a crucial victory for Duke, solidifying his status as a future NBA lottery pick. His performances in the tournament and his subsequent recognition as an All-American showed that his decision to attend Duke was the right one for his development.
In the end, while Alabama’s recruitment of Flagg was unsuccessful, Oats’ “pointless” assessment underscores the fierce competition among top-tier college programs for elite talent. It also highlights how challenging it can be for schools to land generational talents like Flagg, who have the opportunity to choose from a multitude of elite programs. For Flagg, Duke proved to be the ideal environment to nurture his skills and pursue his dream of playing in the NBA.
