On Tuesday, The Athletic published a story about Duke's Cooper Flagg and his "ahead of schedule" freshman season. It detailed how the 6-foot-9, 205-pound star is having an incredible season for the Blue Devils.

However, one quote from Flagg turned the heads of fans, the media and, really, the whole sport. In it, he stated that he wanted to return for a second season with Duke.

“I want to come back next year," said Flagg.

The freshman is eligible to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, but he could return to Duke to play any remaining college eligibility.

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale jokingly scoffed at the idea of Flagg returning for his sophomore season.

“A big story was publicized yesterday. Cooper says, ‘I think I may be coming back to Duke. I love it so much!’ Man, I’ve got a better chance of growing hair than (Flagg) coming back to Duke. No way that’s gonna happen. No way,” Vitale said. 

“There’s no question he’s obviously making good money with the NIL, but I tell you what, that check he’s gonna see at the next level is a whole other world. Can’t take a chance of an injury. Can’t take a chance.”

In On3's NIL 100, a list of the top NIL valuations for high school and college players, Flagg is ranked at No. 2 at $4.8 million, behind only Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, who's valued at $6.5 million.

In ESPN's most recent 2025 NBA mock draft from Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, Flagg is projected to go No. 1 to the Washington Wizards (9-45), who have the worst record in the NBA and thus the best odds of winning the NBA Draft Lottery.