Cooper Flagg’s departure from Duke via the 2025 NBA Draft is traumatic, even though everyone knew it was going to happen. Not surprising, considering this is the superstar who led the team to win the ACC Championship and reach the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Championship.
The Options To Replace Cooper Flagg’s Absence
There is no doubt that the Blue Devils will continue to have a deep roster, especially with the addition of twins Cayden and Cameron Boozer for next season. Also of note are Isaiah Evans, Darren Harris, Patrick Ngongba II, Maliq Brown and Caleb Foster, who will once again wear the Duke colors.
However, Flagg’s absence will have such an impact on the Blue Devils that more than a few pundits are wondering if the team has done enough to replace him.
One of them is Jeff Goodman, who weighed in on the latest edition of The Field of 68 podcast. According to Goodman, coach Jon Scheyer needs another big name to shore up the team’s position:
“You look at the rest of the roster,” Goodman said, “it’s good. It’s good, but it’s…again you look at these guys and you’re like, “Isaiah Evans, will he take a jump?’ I think they need more. I think, if I’m John Scheyer, I got to get another dude out of the portal, and there aren’t that many dudes left.”
Goodman even went so far as to name the player he thinks can make a difference if he comes to Duke:
“Cedric Coward is the one they’re really in there right now with Alabama, Washington State transfer. He’s a versatile wing, he’s going to go through the draft process, but he’s probably going to commit here.”
The Boozer twins were among the top juniors available for the 2025 recruiting process, so Duke will certainly consider them essential to their aspirations for next season. However, the fact that they will be freshmen playing at a much higher level than they have been before cannot be ignored.
The Boozers’ relationship with Duke was born in the cradle. Their father, Carlos Boozer, helped the Blue Devils win the 2001 National Championship on his way to becoming an NBA star.
KEEP READING: Way-Too-Early or Spot-On? Torvik’s 2026 Rankings Fuel CBB Fan Theories
In Coward’s case, he is coming back from a shoulder injury that limited him to six games in the 2024-2025 season. Still, he averages 12 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 73 games during his college basketball career.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
