"Draft No. 1 confirmed!" All-time prospect who shined even after losing... Next destination is NBA?
"Draft No. 1 confirmed!" All-time prospect who shined even after losing... Next destination is NBA?
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The college stage of super-special prospect Flag ended in the semifinals.
Duke University lost 67-70 to Houston University in the semifinals of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas on the 6th (Korea time).
Duke was considered the overwhelming favorite of the NCAA Tournament. The reason is that Cooper Flag, who is likely to be the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, is the reason. Flag is considered the best player in the college league and a super-special prospect who can immediately perform as an All-Star even after entering the NBA stage.
In addition, Kaman Maluachi and Con Knifle, who assist Flag, are also likely to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Duke continued to advance to the semifinals with the flag at the forefront. He defeated St. Mary's University on the mound 93-49 in the round of 64 and Baylor University 89-66 in the round of 32. He also beat the University of Arizona 100-93 in the round of 16, and advanced to the semifinals by beating the University of Alabama 85-65 in the round of 8.
From the process of advancement, I could feel an overwhelming difference in weight class, and except for Arizona, which I met in the round of 16, I advanced to the next stage by overwhelming by more than 20 points. It was safe to say that the combination of Flag, a clear ace, Kniffle, a top guard on the college stage, and Maluachi, a center under the basket, was at the level of an NBA team.
Of course, Duke's easy victory against Houston in the semifinals was expected.
In fact, this was the way things went in the early part of the game. Houston struggled with Duke's strong defense and couldn't afford to let go of its offense.
On the other hand, Duke had a solid ace named Flag at the forefront, and Kniffle also contributed. With eight minutes left to go, Duke led 59-45. It was doubtful whether Duke would easily advance to the finals again this time.
However, a huge twist happened at the end of the game. Duke's successful attack suddenly started to be blocked by Houston's defense. Ace Flags also failed to attack three times in a row. Houston did not miss this opportunity, and immediately narrowed the gap.
Houston's 3-pointer with 32 seconds left chased Duke 67-64. The NCAA game was still an absolutely favorable moment for Duke because there was a 30-second time limit on offense. However, Duke committed a turnover in the process of putting the ball in, and Houston immediately made a shot under the basket.
While trailing 67-66, the Houston Astros attempted a foul play. Unlike the NBA, the NCAA still uses the one-and-one method. If a player fails to make two free throws, not through a foul play, he can immediately grab the rebound. Tyreece Proctor, who got a free throw at Duke, failed to make the first pitch, and it was determined that Flag committed a foul on Houston while Houston was trying to grab the rebound.
Unlike Procter, Houston's Jaywan Roberts calmly made the second pitch. 67-68, now in a chase position, Duke's last attack was also flagged. Flag attempted a midrange shot after the breakthrough, but turned away from the rim, and Duke was ultimately defeated dramatically.
Flag's final performance on the day was 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. It was an overwhelming one-man show, but the drama faded with a come-from-behind defeat.
스포츠토토 The NCAA Tournament stage of the all-time promising players, which appeared for the first time in a long time, ended in the semifinals. The flag's average record in this NCAA Tournament was 21 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5 assists and 2 blocks.
Flag's next destination, which successfully wrapped up the college stage, is expected to be the NBA stage. Recently, some local media predicted that Flag could remain at Duke University for another year.
However, this appears to be difficult in reality. No matter how much Flag's affection for Duke University is, one year in his NBA career is very large. If Flag participates in the NBA draft, more than $10 million a year is immediately guaranteed.
In an official interview with a local media outlet on Friday, Flag's attempt to play in the NBA has become a given. Flag said, "Whenever I join the NBA draft, I don't care about a team. It's a blessing to be selected as any team. My dream is to play in the NBA. I don't care about any team," expressing his willingness to play in the NBA.
Flag is selected as the best big prospect since Victor Wembanyama. If Flag participates in the draft as scheduled, which team will be lucky to get such a flag.