Basketball
Featured Columnist IVJanuary 8, 2025
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The Duke men’s basketball team defeated Pittsburgh 76-47 on Tuesday, but it was one play that stood out more than the final score.
Freshman Cooper Flagg stole a pass near the baseline on the defensive end, drove the length of the floor and then unleashed a one-handed tomahawk slam to fire up the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
ESPN @espn
COOPER FLAGG JUST WENT COAST-TO-COAST AND POSTERIZED THE DEFENDER ????????
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS ???? pic.twitter.com/Z5jcZ756ew
Head coach Jon Scheyer said it was “a Zion kind of play,” in reference to former Blue Devils star Zion Williamson, per ESPN’s David Hale.
“We’ve had a few guys through the years to make a couple plays that just spark everybody in the building,” Scheyer said. “That was one of those moments tonight.”
It was a fitting comment considering Williamson had “a Zion kind of play” of his own when he returned to the floor from a hamstring injury for the New Orleans Pelicans for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He broke free in transition and threw down a 360 windmill dunk:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
ZION IS BACK ???????? pic.twitter.com/4jtHzpg8uU
It likely won’t be long until Flagg joins Williamson in the NBA, as B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman projected the Duke star as the No. 1 overall pick in his latest 2025 mock draft. Ironically, it is Williamson’s Pelicans with the No. 1 pick in that mock draft, so Duke fans may have to buy some New Orleans gear if that becomes a reality.
The rims will also be on notice when the Pelicans take the floor if that hypothetical becomes a reality.
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