Decision Dossier: Breaking down Cooper Flagg's recruitment
The top prospect in the class of 2024 is inching closer to a commitment, as Cooper Flagg put the finishing touches on his travel schedule over the weekend when he wrapped up his second official visit to Duke.
While Flagg retreats into decision mode, Rivals recruiting director Rob Cassidy examines the choice that lies in front of the country's top prospect and dives into where things stand in the final moments of his process.
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THE SITUATION
Flagg’s recruitment is in its waning stages, and it’s starting to feel as though a decision will come at any moment. The No. 1 prospect in the 204 class, Flagg wrapped up his final official visit, a return trip to Duke, last weekend. He has set no timetable for a commitment, but word is he may just announce with minimal build-up in the near future.
Duke and Connecticut were the only two schools to get Flagg on campus for officials, so the list of possible landing spots is short, to say the least.
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THE FRONTRUNNER: DUKE
Things have tightened in recent weeks, sure, but the Blue Devils still need to be seen as the leaders here based on having the deepest and longest-standing relationship with the touted forward. Word from trusted sources a few months back was that Flagg-to-Duke was a done deal and that his quick reclassification was, in part, due to the fact that the Blue Devils’ 2024 roster aligned with what Flagg was looking for and included a possible Kyle Filipowski-sized hole into which he could slide.
People may not be talking about Flagg-to-Duke with the same forgone-conclusion-like tone these days, but the Blue Devils retain the title as “leader” nevertheless. A decision could come quickly, and it seems like the sooner the better for the Blue Devils' faithful.
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CLOSING THE GAP: UCONN
There was a time not long ago that UConn’s inclusion on Flagg’s list of finalists looked like mere window dressing. Those days are over, however, as the Huskies now seem to be serious players. There’s an aura of muffled confidence coming out of Storrs as a decision grows near.
Still, in order for Dan Hurley’s program to actually pull off the upset it seems as though Something (with a capital S) would have had to have gone wrong with the Duke relationship. Going from “done deal” to second place doesn’t happen for no reason, after all.
The longer Flagg draws the process out following his final visit, the better it looks for UConn because a quick decision seems to favor the status quo.