Duke Confirms Cooper Flagg Will Play NCAA Tournament Despite Injury Drama

Duke men's basketball star Cooper Flagg is set to play in the NCAA Tournament, despite suffering a dramatic injury this week that put him in a wheelchair, according to his team. Talk about resilience!

Flagg's availability was confirmed by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and shared with the NCAA Tournament selection committee, Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president for basketball, said on Saturday during a CBS segment. His announcement came just before the highly anticipated unveiling of the tournament's field of 68.

Flagg, a towering 6-foot-9 freshman, sprained his left ankle during Duke’s Thursday victory against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. The injury occurred while Flagg attempted to grab a rebound, landing awkwardly on his left ankle. The scene was nothing short of dramatic as Flagg crumpled to the floor in visible distress, necessitating wheelchair assistance to leave the court.

Despite the setback, Flagg showcased his unwavering team spirit by returning to the bench later in the game to cheer on his teammates. Coach Jon Scheyer confirmed postgame that Flagg’s ankle had significant swelling, ruling him out for Duke's Friday semifinal win against North Carolina and Saturday’s title clash against No. 13 Louisville.

Flagg's absence was felt on the court, but his presence on the bench in black warmups during the UNC game didn’t go unnoticed. He stood with injured teammate Maliq Brown, showing support while walking without a pronounced limp or protective boot—a hopeful sign for Duke fans.

Flagg, who was crowned ACC Player and Newcomer of the Year earlier this week, continues to be a focal point of the NCAA Tournament committee as they monitor player injuries that could affect team seeding.

For Duke, Flagg’s injury brought a rollercoaster of emotions, but his determination to play in the NCAA Tournament proves that champions don’t back down—even when they're wheeled out of a game.