Duke says Cooper Flagg will play in NCAA Tournament after recent injury put him in wheelchair

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few joins Colin Cowherd to discuss Cooper Flagg's impact on college basketball and his injury during the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament.

Despite a gruesome injury that required wheelchair assistance this week, Duke men's basketball star Cooper Flagg will play in the NCAA Tournament, according to his team.

Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) informed the NCAA Tournament selection committee that Flagg will be available for the tournament, Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president for basketball, said Saturday.

Gavitt made the comments on CBS before Sunday’s announcement of the field of 68. 

Flagg sprained his left ankle during Duke’s win against Georgia Tech Thursday in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

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Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg was injured in the first half at Spectrum Center March 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

It happened when Flagg jumped to get a rebound. As he fell to the floor, he landed on his left ankle. He immediately crumpled to the floor. The 6-foot-9 freshman lingered on the floor for a few moments before being helped up by his teammates. Flagg then limped to the bench, clearly in distress, before sitting down. 

After he left the game, Flagg was put in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room. 

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Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg was injured in the first half at Spectrum Center March 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

Despite the injury, Flagg returned from the locker room to the bench to cheer on his teammates in the second half, but he did not return the game. 

Duke coach