Duke's Flagg wins 2025 Naismith Player of the Year

Duke forward Cooper Flagg was named the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year on Sunday.

Flagg beat out Johni Broome of Auburn, Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida, and Braden Smith of Purdue for the award.

The freshman phenom averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals for the Blue Devils.

"It's an incredible honor for me," Flagg said at the Naismith Awards brunch. "I appreciate everybody for giving me this type of recognition. It's a surreal feeling, this whole year, this tournament, it's all gone by so fast. It's been a blur. It's been an incredible year. ... with an incredible group of people."

Flagg is the first Duke player to win the award since Zion Williamson in 2019.

Flagg averaged 21 points, 7.6 assists, five assists, and two blocks over four March Madness contests. Duke's season ended after a Final Four defeat to Houston on Saturday.