Cooper Flagg of Duke basketball received the ACC Rookie of the Week title for the 11th time this week, placing him in sole possession of the conference’s record for the most Rookie of the Week awards in history. Flagg was also named the ACC Player of the Week this week.
Flagg equaled the all-time record last week with his tenth, joining Jabari Parker (2014, Duke), Tyler Hansbrough (2006, North Carolina), and Kenny Anderson (1990, Georgia Tech) as the only ACC freshman to win the honor several times.
Flagg averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field in the Blue Devils’ two victories this week. Duke defeated Virginia on the road 80-62 before beating Illinois 110-67 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, the Fighting Illini’s greatest margin of defeat in program history.
The freshman phenom is still having one of the best freshman seasons in ACC history, earning more recognition as time passes.
Flagg set an ACC rookie scoring record of 42 points in Duke’s January 11th triumph over Notre Dame.
Flagg is currently averaging 19.5 points, 17.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.6 steals a game this season, leading the Blue Devils in all five key statistical categories.
The Maine native is doing it all while shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range.
Flagg has not only been the best freshman in the country, but he may also be the best player. He and Auburn’s Johni Broome are competing for college basketball’s National Player of the Year honor, and the race is tied. Flagg drew away halfway through the season when Broome was out with a severely sprained ankle, but Broome has been dominant since his return, and the Tigers are tearing through the SEC, so the battle has tightened.
Flagg is currently -155 to win the prize, while Broome has +160 odds, according to Sportsbook Review.
