Coach Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils were scheduled to take on coach Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats at 9:39 p.m. ET on Thursday, giving fans a chance to watch the NBA’s projected top overall pick, Cooper Flagg on national television.
Flagg’s Blue Devils are the East Region’s top seed, in line to face Lloyd’s fourth-seeded Wildcats.
The 6-foot-9, 205 pound Flagg has averaged 18.7 points per game this season along with 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 48.8% shooting from the field, adding to the excitement surrounding his upcoming Sweet 16 performance. On Wednesday, Flagg’s admission on a surprising conflict-of-interest involving a high profile Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal was revealed, offering a window into the Blue Devils superstar’s thought process heading into Thursday night’s game.
Flagg grew up in Maine, where the shoe company New Balance has constructed multiple factories.
The Newport, Maine native was asked about playing for the Blue Devils, a Nike sponsored school, and whether he would rather wear the company he promotes through his NIL deal.
“Well it’s obviously a tough situation,” Flagg said. “I love New Balance, but Duke is with Nike, so we have to do that for now,” the Blue Devils forward added.
