Cooper Flagg, the highly touted Duke basketball freshman phenom, was widely expected to secure substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings upon his commitment to the Blue Devils. As a former No. 1 overall recruit and one of the most hyped prospects in recent decades, the financial aspects of his collegiate career were a significant point of interest.

The extent of Flagg's earnings as a freshman was dramatically revealed by sports journalist Howard Bryant during a sit-down conversation with Bob Costas in New York City at The 92nd Street Y. Bryant disclosed that Flagg made "$28 million" during his single year at Duke, a figure that reportedly caused an audible gasp from the event's audience. This sum was attributed to a "$13 million deal with New Balance and $15 million with Fanatics."

It is important to note a clarification regarding the New Balance deal mentioned in the input text: this agreement is described as a multi-year contract. Therefore, the $13 million figure likely represents the total value of the endorsement over its duration, rather than an earning confined to his single freshman year, even if it was presented by Bryant as part of that year's income.

Beyond these major external endorsements, Flagg's NIL valuation derived from Duke itself was reported by On3 to be approximately $4.8 million. This figure was noted as the highest in college basketball at the time.

Flagg's financial achievements are all the more remarkable considering he entered the college basketball scene as a 17-year-old, only celebrating his 18th birthday in December of his freshman year.

Despite the staggering sums involved, the consensus suggested by the source material is that Flagg's earnings were well-deserved, reflecting his exceptional performance on the court. The Maine native was recognized as the best player in college basketball, earning the prestigious Naismith National Player of the Year award.

His dominance extended to conference accolades, where he secured both ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Player of the Year titles. Flagg was a statistical leader for the Blue Devils, leading the team in all five major statistical categories. He averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, playing a pivotal role in guiding Duke to a Final Four appearance.

Looking ahead, Cooper Flagg is considered a virtual lock to be the first overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. His already substantial earnings are set to increase significantly as he is anticipated by the source text to become a future member of the Dallas Mavericks.