Shannon Sharpe mocks Duke fans for thinking Cooper Flagg would return

Cooper Flagg talked multiple times about potentially staying in college for another season. Nevertheless, that never seemed to be a realistic option for the Duke star.

He’s been the projected first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for the past couple of years now, even before he made his college basketball debut for the Blue Devils.

That’s why NFL legend Shannon Sharpe mocked Duke fans for thinking he was actually going to return. Talking on ‘First Take,’ Sharpe pointed out that it was never a possibility.

Shannon Sharpe says there was no way Cooper Flagg was going back to college

“This was the worst-kept secret in America,” Sharpe said on ESPN. “And I laugh every time people say, ‘Well he might come back because he really loves college.’ Really? Really, people? Come back to do what?”

Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils

Sharpe continued by stating that returning to college didn’t make any financial sense for him, as he would’ve still gotten more money from an NBA rookie contract:

“Considering where the money is now, it makes no sense because all you’re doing is prolonging being away from the bigger bag that you’re going to get,” he said. “They’re not going to give him the NIL or the collective that he would get going number one overall or as a top-three, top-five pick. So this made no sense.”

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At the end of the day, Flagg’s dream was to play in the NBA, so there was no reason to delay this decision any further, and it will be a privilege to witness his journey in the pros.