The 2024–25 season was supposed to be a turning point for Duke men’s basketball under Jon Scheyer. With arguably the most talented roster he’s assembled since taking the helm, the Blue Devils looked primed for a national championship run. Hopes were sky-high as the team marched to the Final Four, and many believed this was the year Duke would reclaim its spot atop college basketball.
But dreams turned into disappointment. Facing off against Houston in a highly anticipated Final Four clash, Duke’s lack of experience proved costly. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Blue Devils came up short in the game’s final stretch, ending their title pursuit in heartbreak.
The loss was made all the more bitter by the commentary surrounding the matchup. FOX Sports analyst John Fanta had prematurely declared Duke’s victory, posting on social media, “Duke has Cooper Flagg. Houston does not. We’re just about done here.” The post quickly went viral and, in hindsight, became a symbolic jinx that some fans now blame for the team’s collapse.
Soon after the season concluded, the inevitable happened: freshman sensation Cooper Flagg officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-9 phenom, hailed as one of the most complete prospects in recent memory, is widely projected to go No. 1 overall in June.
In a heartfelt statement, Flagg reflected on his lone season at Duke:
“To the fans, my teammates, and the entire Duke brotherhood—thank you for making this an unforgettable year. I’ve dreamed of wearing a Duke uniform since I was a kid. This has been the best year of my life, and I’m proud to announce that I’m declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.”
Despite the loss of Flagg, Duke entered the offseason with a rare achievement: not a single player had left the program via the transfer portal—one of only two such teams in the nation. Head coach Jon Scheyer also made a major offseason move by landing Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, a rising star expected to make an immediate impact.
However, that plan might now be unraveling too.
With the NBA Draft buzz surrounding Coward growing louder by the week, it’s becoming increasingly uncertain whether he’ll ever suit up for the Blue Devils. NBA insider Zach Lowe recently revealed that scouts are raving about Coward’s potential.
“If all of these scouts are on him like this… I think he’s going to get picked higher than [No. 29 overall] just based on my conversations,” Lowe said.
Coward’s draft stock has surged thanks to his versatility, athleticism, and two-way potential—qualities that could land him in the first round. If he does stay in the draft, Duke could be looking at a second major roster blow in a matter of weeks.
The Blue Devils have already been ranked No. 1 in The Sporting News’ “Way-Too-Early” Top 25 for next season. But that ranking could be in jeopardy if Coward follows Flagg’s lead and declares for the NBA. What was once shaping up to be a superteam might now be losing its foundation before the season even tips off.
As Duke fans watch the NBA Draft decisions unfold, the question remains: will this be the offseason that derails Scheyer’s blueprint or simply a bump in the road for one of college basketball’s most storied programs?
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