Blue Devils icon Jay Bilas makes strong statement about Cooper Flagg ahead of NCAA Tournament

There’s no doubt that Cooper Flagg has become one of the standout players of the current College Basketball season. With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, the Duke Blue Devils star received strong backing from a program legend, Jay Bilas.

In a recent appearance on an episode of the Rich Eisen Show, the current ESPN NBA analyst and former Blue Devils legend revealed that Flagg will undoubtedly mark a turning point in the program, even comparing him to Grant Hill.

“I think he’s the best and most complete freshman Duke has ever had. He’ll be the #1 pick. He’s special and he’s got an aptitude for the game that you don’t see very often. His competitive character is a lot like Christian Laettner frankly. He processes the game on a different level than most players,” Bilas started.

“He’s super skilled, super athletic, long, he’s got all the measurable, but it’s the head and heart that sets him apart. I think Grant Hill is the best player Duke has ever had, and that’s saying something. It’s hard to sometimes measure because these one and done guys don’t stay very long, but as a freshman, Duke has not had anybody this good.”

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas stands on the court before calling the Continental Tire Challenge between the Duke Blue Devils and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Blue Devils defeated the Bulldogs 84-81.

Eyes on what’s ahead

After winning the ACC Championship, everything now comes down to what lies ahead for the Duke Blue Devils. The question remains, though: Will Cooper Flagg be available for the start of the NCAA Tournament?

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The star of Jon Scheyer’s team missed the last few games due to an ankle injury, but the coach is confident he’ll be able to count on him for the upcoming debut.

Throughout the season, Flagg has stood out with his numbers, positioning himself as one of the best of the year: he is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He also is shooting 48.8% from the field, including 36.8% from beyond the arc.

Is his injury serious?

An ankle injury can be a major headache, especially for basketball players due to their physical build. Although Cooper Flagg missed the last two games for his team, the HC Jon Sheyer remains optimistic about being able to count on him.

“From my perspective, it’s full steam ahead,” Scheyer said to ESPN’s Rece Davis on Sunday. “I want to get Coop back as quickly as we can, and he wants to do the same.”