Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg is opening up about what playing in March Madness meant to him. Flagg says there's nothing he would do differently, after leading his team to a Final Four.

“It was an incredible year and an incredible journey with a lot of great, great people. I made a lot of really good relationships that I'll have for the rest of my life,” Flagg said, per SportsKeeda. “Obviously, it didn't end the way that we wanted to [with a loss to Houston], but it was an incredible journey.”

Duke lost to Houston in the Final Four, after blowing a late lead in the game. Houston defeated the Blue Devils, 70-67.

“It was an incredible ride with that team. I have no regrets about anything,” Flagg added. “I wish we could've gotten it done. But it was an incredible year. There are lessons in everything both with successes and shortcoming, the losses and the wins. I just have to move forward and take the things that I learned and moved forward.”

Flagg is considered the no. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He does have the option though to return to Duke.

Cooper Flagg was nearly unstoppable this season for Duke

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley answers a question by moderator Dan Hughes during the University of Mount Union's Schooler Lecture speaker series on April 23, 2025, in Alliance, Ohio Mandatory Credit: © Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dawn Staley jokes about un-retiring after getting A’ja Wilson’s shoesZachary Draves ·
Montana State Bobcats forward Brandon Walker (2) shoots the ball defended by Grambling State Tigers guard Jourdan Smith (11) in the second half at UD Arena.
Mississippi State basketball gets 14.7-PPG transfer from NCAA Tournament teamScotty White ·
The University of Texas announces Sean Miller as their new men's basketball coach
Sean Miller reveals 2 reasons why Texas basketball job lured him away from XavierScotty White ·
Apr 18, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Earl Boykins (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
USC basketball bolsters coaching staff with ex-NBA guardZachary Draves ·
St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks to the media during a press conference at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
St. John’s basketball coach Rick Pitino stuns fans with 40-year Thunder defense takeJaren Kawada ·
General view of a NCAA March Madness logo during a practice sessions in preparation for an East Regional semifinal games at Prudential Center.
March Madness expansion earns strong endorsement from Big 12 commishScotty White ·

Flagg led Duke in virtually every statistical category during his freshman season. He also set an ACC conference single-game freshman scoring record, when he poured in 42 points in a victory over Notre Dame.

The eyes of the basketball world are on Flagg this offseason. If he decides to leave Duke for the NBA Draft, there are plenty of teams who would kill for the chance to draft him. The Blue Devils star is a 6-foot-9 forward who can run the floor effortlessly.

Flagg finished his freshman season averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds a contest. He scored 27 to lead Duke in their Final Four loss against Houston.

Duke basketball fans would obviously love to have Flagg back. They also understand if he decides to head out the door.