The Duke Blue Devils are dominating the 2024-25 college basketball season, led by standout freshman Cooper Flagg. As the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, Flagg joined Jon Scheyer’s program with high expectations. He is widely projected to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but for now, the Maine native is focused on his time at Duke.
Former Blue Devils star Jayson Tatum, who experienced a similar path in 2016-17 before being selected third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft, understands what Flagg is going through. During an appearance on The Brotherhood Podcast with former Duke teammate Amile Jefferson, Tatum offered some valuable advice.
“You’re so close to reaching your ultimate dream, which is to play in the NBA, right?” Tatum said. “You feel like, ‘I’m only 10 months away – like, I can smell it.’ The NBA’s not going anywhere. It’s gonna be there. He’s gonna get drafted. He’s gonna do amazing things.”
Tatum emphasized the importance of cherishing the college experience, urging Flagg to stay present and appreciate his time at Duke.
“Once you leave college, you leave. Like, those moments, you won’t ever get back,” Tatum said. “Playing in Cameron Indoor Stadium, going to Chapel Hill, going on the road with your teammates and playing in Miami or whatever it is—those moments are priceless. And as soon as I left Duke, like, I really missed it.”
He continued, “Enjoy the moment, stay present, because it does go by fast. And you’ll never be able to get that time back.”
Flagg and the Blue Devils are set to take on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday evening, while Tatum and the Celtics will square off against the New York Knicks later that night.
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