Cooper Flagg Maintains Close Ties with Duke, Coach Scheyer

The former Blue Devils star continues to support his alma mater despite thriving in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the recent NBA Draft, has maintained a strong relationship with his former head coach at Duke, Jon Scheyer, despite the two now being in different basketball worlds. Flagg revealed that Scheyer has reached out to him multiple times throughout the season, and the two have stayed in touch despite their busy schedules. Flagg has also returned to Cameron Indoor Stadium to watch his former Duke teammates in action, showcasing the lasting brotherhood he shares with the program.

Why it matters

Flagg's continued connection to Duke and Coach Scheyer demonstrates the tight-knit culture of the Blue Devils basketball program, even as its players move on to the professional ranks. This type of relationship between a school, its coaches, and its alumni is valuable for recruiting, alumni engagement, and maintaining a strong program identity over time.

The details

Flagg, who is putting up impressive numbers as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks, said that he and Scheyer have stayed in regular communication. 'Coach Scheyer, he's reached out a lot of times throughout the year and we've stayed in contact,' Flagg said. 'Obviously, we've both been pretty busy.' Flagg has also returned to Durham to attend a couple of Duke home games during the All-Star break, reuniting with his former teammates from the Blue Devils' Final Four squad last season.

  • Flagg played under Scheyer at Duke during the 2024-25 season.
  • Flagg was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
  • Flagg has returned to Durham to attend Duke home games during the 2025-26 NBA season's All-Star break.

The players

Cooper Flagg

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg played one season at Duke under head coach Jon Scheyer before being selected by the Dallas Mavericks.

Jon Scheyer

The current head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, Scheyer led the program to a Final Four appearance in the 2024-25 season with Flagg as a key contributor.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Scheyer, he's reached out a lot of times throughout the year and we've stayed in contact. Obviously, we've both been pretty busy.”

— Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks Rookie

“The All-Star break, all of us went back from last year's team. We were all back and watched two games at home. So, we definitely still have that brotherhood and that connection. That will never go away.”

— Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks Rookie

What’s next

Flagg and his former Duke teammates are expected to continue supporting the Blue Devils program by attending more home games throughout the remainder of the NBA season.

The takeaway

Flagg's ongoing relationship with Coach Scheyer and the Duke program demonstrates the lasting bonds that can form between a school, its coaches, and its star players, even as those players move on to professional careers. This type of connection is valuable for maintaining a strong program identity and culture over time.