Duke’s Cooper Flagg has cemented himself as the best player in college basketball. The 6’9” freshman forward is averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists and is the overwhelming favorite to win the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Award.
Has Flagg cemented himself as one of the best freshmen in college basketball? … Keep reading to see where he ranks among 2000s greats.
Where Does Cooper Flagg Rank Among All-tTime Freshmen Performances in College Basketball?
- John Wall | Kentucky, 2009-10
Wall received AP All-American First Team honors after a season that saw him play the Wildcats to the Elite Eight. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, earning a Wooden Award finalist spot and SEC Player of the Year honors.
- Derrick Rose | Memphis, 2007-08
The Tigers’ standout was seconds away from winning a national championship in his freshman season before Kansas’ Mario Chalmers ripped it all away. Rose received all-Conference USA first-team honors after averaging 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
- Trae Young | Oklahoma, 2017-18
Although Young’s Sooners lost in round one to Rhode Island, the soon-to-be NBA star dominated on the court. Young was the first player in men’s college basketball history to lead the nation in points and assists, with 27.4 and 8.7, respectively.
- Michael Beasley | Kansas State, 2007-08
Beasley averaged 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game for the Wildcats, who lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament. His incredible stat line led the country in both statistics and earned him first-team All-American honors from the AP.
- Cooper Flagg | Duke, 2024-25
Flagg, who received consensus AP All-American First Team honors, could work his way up the list if the Blue Devils make a run in the next two weeks. Averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, Flagg earned himself the Oscar Robertson Trophy, ACC Player of the Year, and is a -200 favorite to win the Naismith Award, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Carmelo Anthony | Syracuse, 2002-03
The Orange icon led Syracuse to their only national championship in his freshman year, winning the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. Anthony averaged 20.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, hitting 48% from three and earning all-Big East first team honors.
- Kevin Durant | Texas, 2006-07
While Durant’s Longhorns were taken out in the second round of the NCAA tournament, the forward dominated everyone on the court. KD won the Wooden Award after averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on 40% shooting behind the arc.
- Zion Williamson | Duke, 2018-19
Williamson was the epitome of dominance with the Blue Devils, as he led the team to the Elite Eight. He averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game on his way to the Wooden and ACC Player of the Year awards.
- Greg Oden | Ohio State, 2006-07
While Oden was never fully healthy as a Buckeye, he still dominated on the way to a national championship appearance. Despite battling a wrist injury, he averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game, winning the NABC Defensive Player of the Year award and receiving first-team AP All-American First Team honors.
KEEP READING: Legends of March Madness
- Anthony Davis | Kentucky, 2011-12
The Wildcat forward undeniably had the most dominant season a freshman has had in recent history. Davis led Kentucky to a national championship, winning the Wooden Award, NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player, and NABC Defensive Player of the Year award while averaging 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and a nation-leading 4.7 blocks per game.
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