How Good is Cooper Flagg Historically in the ACC?

By: Jonathan Howard, Staff Writer
January 31, 2025

Comparing the Duke Freshman to ACC Players of the Year

With the college basketball season heading into its final month of the regular season, you’ve undoubtedly seen highlight after highlight of Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg. The 6-foot-9-inch guard/forward has taken the league by storm with highlight reel dunks and statsheet stuffing play. While there are no statistical categories in which he leads entering Saturday’s clash against rival North Carolina, he finds himself in the top 10 of almost every major statistical category, despite sitting outside of the top 10 in minutes played. To break it down:

Flagg’s outstanding performance paired with Duke’s status as the ACC’s top team make him a leader in the club house for ACC Player of the Year honors. But how do his stats stack up against memorable winners of years past? Let’s take a look at Flagg compared to some of the ACC’s best over the last 25 years. Since Flagg still has many games left to play this year, we’ll compare season averages only.

Flagg vs Battier and Forte

For millennials, the late 90s and early 2000s was perhaps the height of the rivalry between Duke and North Carolina. The 2000-2001 season provided a little extra, with Duke senior forward Shane Battier and North Carolina sophomore guard Joe Forte sharing Player of the Year honors.

Flagg is neck and neck with both players scoring wise, while having a clear advantage in assists and steals per game. Forte and Battier were both top four in the ACC in steals that season.

Flagg vs Dixon

The 2001-2002 College Basketball season provided Maryland with a national championship, and leading the way was a skinny, 6-foot-3-inch bulldog in Juan Dixon. Duke placed three future NBA players (Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy) on the All-ACC first team that season, but it was Dixon who took away top honors.

Again, Flagg is behind in points, but just barely, while dominating the rebounds and assists categories. The scrappy Dixon has the clear advantage in steals. In regard to the scoring, it should be noted that Dixon was far and away the top offensive threat for the Terrapins and took almost 200 more shots than center Lonny Baxter. While Flagg leads the Blue Devils in field goal attempts (273), the gap between him and fellow freshman Kon Knueppel isn’t nearly as wide (201). However, it could easily turn out that way come season’s end.

Flagg vs Redick

As the ACC’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals and second leading career scorer, J.J. Redick’s shooting ability is legendary. Redick won ACC Player of the Year in back to back seasons, and came up just 36 points shy of 1,000 points in his senior year alone.

Redick’s scoring output is unmatched, but Flagg has the more rounded game as a hybrid guard/forward.

Flagg vs Hansbrough

Tyler Hansborugh left UNC as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer. The three-time first-team All-American had his best season during his junior campaign (2007-2008) in which he led the Tar Heels to a Final Four appearance.

This is the first time we’ve seen Flagg fall behind in multiple categories. It should be noted here that Flagg is more of a point forward and Hansbrough was a back-to-the-basket post player in an offense designed to get the ball in the paint first.

Flagg vs Warren

Virginia and Syracuse were the top dogs in the ACC during the 2013-2014 season, but it was a forward from N.C. State who took home conference Player of the Year honors. T.J. Warren proved to be an impeccable scorer at N.C. State, while also providing help on the boards.

At 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, Warren is a great comparison for Flagg in terms of a bigger player being able to play as a guard. Warren shot the ball at a 52.5 percent clip for the Wolfpack during this season, giving him the clear advantage in scoring. Flagg continues to be the better distributor.

Flagg vs Williamson

In terms of hype, there’s no better comparison for Flagg than Zion Williamson. Entering the 2018-2019 season – his only at Duke – Williamson came in with the reputation as a freak of nature. At 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Williamson could move like a guard, easily post up smaller opponents, and play devastating defense. Despite missing some time with injury, he cleaned up on the awards circuit – winning conference and national Player of the Year honors.

Zion wins the challenge here, but is the blueprint for Flagg in terms of a unique skill set and physique that allows them to be effective across multiple portions of the stat sheet.

Conclusion

To date, Flagg isn’t quite the scorer that some of his contemporaries are, but he isn’t far behind. Importantly, he’s as good if not better a rebounder, passer and defender. He easily falls in line with past winners, and has a good chance to add his name to an exclusive club. Make sure to check out the Versus Sports Simulator to see how Flagg and the Blue Devils will perform over the course of the rest of the season.

Jonathan Howard, Sports Analyst

Jonathan Howard is a veteran sports writer from Richmond, Virginia. His work has been featured in newspapers such as the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post and The Virginian-Pilot. He enjoys cheering for his alma mater - VCU - and playing golf when time allows.