When Cooper Flagg injured his left ankle towards the end of the first half against Georgia Tech, Duke fans collectively held their breath. The positive update: No fracture, just swelling. The drawback: Duke’s chances at a national title became less certain. Flagg, although absent for the rest of the game, was seen on the sidelines in the second half, walking unaided with no crutches or boot. To progress past the opening weekend of March Madness, the team will need more than one player to step up in Flagg’s absence. Who will rise to the occasion, and potentially boost their NBA draft prospects in the process? Let’s delve into it:
Kon Knueppel
Knueppel took charge in generating offense for Duke following Flagg’s injury, scoring a season-high 28 points on 7-of-14 shooting and dishing out eight assists with just one turnover in a 78-70 win. Known for his efficient play, Knueppel showcased his skills on a larger scale, running a season-high 14 pick-and-rolls in the game. This opportunity may propel him into a top-five draft pick position if he can demonstrate his ability as a primary playmaker rather than just a shooter.
Khaman Maluach
As a vital interior presence for Duke, Maluach’s role becomes even more crucial with Flagg sidelined. Standing at 7-foot-2 with remarkable length, he will be relied upon to anchor the defense and execute screens and rolls effectively on offense. A standout performance like his showing against Georgia Tech will solidify his status as a top-10 prospect and potentially elevate his draft stock.
Isaiah Evans
Similar to Knueppel, Evans will be tasked with a more prominent role in running plays and creating scoring opportunities for Duke. The freshman guard, averaging a 44.4% shooting rate from beyond the arc, has shown promise in his shooting abilities. With NBA teams seeking versatile wing players who can contribute instantly, Evans has the opportunity to showcase his potential and move up in the draft projections.
Other key players like Tyrese Proctor and Sion James will also play pivotal roles in Duke’s success moving forward. However, the increased responsibilities on young players like Evans could be a game-changer in determining the team’s performance and their individual draft prospects.
Capitalizing, he’s putting himself on the draft radar one year earlier than expected. Duke’s national title chances are likely dead if Flagg can’t return for the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. But if Flagg comes back healthy, they’re still a title favorite. Either way, this is the kind of moment that makes or breaks a season, and a few NBA draft stocks.
