It was almost believed that Cooper Flagg wouldn’t be coming back. Like, the predicted No. 1 NBA Draft picks had one foot out the door. But even then, Duke fans weren’t panicking too much. Why? Because the Blue Devils already had four top-25 prospects locked in. Five-star power forward Cameron Boozer and his twin brother Cayden were ready to make Cameron their new playground. Add fellow five-star Nikolas Khamenia to the mix, and things looked fine. The 2025-26 roster felt predictable. But, well… it seems like it’s not going to look like the way we expected at all. The Blue Devils are expected to bounce back with a loaded squad next season after falling short this time around. They made it to the Final Four but couldn’t snag that title. Now, out of nowhere, head coach Jon Scheyer took another big hit as one of the biggest names in his 2025 class just dipped.
Five-star forward Shelton Henderson, ranked No. 14 by 247Sports, officially decommitted and reopened his recruitment. Henderson committed last November and was highly expected to be a star. But here’s the thing…his main connection was with Jai Lucas, Duke’s former associate head coach. And Lucas is now down in Miami, appointed as the Hurricanes’ new head coach.He even pulled up to Henderson’s high school, Bellaire, before the decommitment happened. Coincidence? Doesn’t look like it. The streets are buzzing. Is Henderson following Lucas to Miami?
However, that’s not even the wildest part. This whole situation has fans thinking maybe, just maybe, Cooper Flagg’s staying after all. If you remember…After Duke’s tough Final Four exit, the freshman phenom was out in L.A. for the Wooden Award Ceremony. He became just the fourth true freshman in college hoops history to snag the prestigious honor. Obviously, all eyes were on his next move. Hence, the 6-foot-9 superstar was asked the big question.
He even pulled up to Henderson’s high school, Bellaire, before the decommitment happened. Coincidence? Doesn’t look like it. The streets are buzzing. Is Henderson following Lucas to Miami?
“I’m just going through the process. Really, we haven’t had that much time to talk about it yet. I got the chance to come out here (Los Angeles) and take some time with myself and my family and take some time to reflect on the season I’ve had,” he said. No decision yet, it meant. “I’m not in a particular rush. I’m just going through the process, going to talk with everybody I need to, and will make a decision on what’s best for me,” he added. But, to date, we haven’t got any official announcement. And now, with this decommitment sending waves through the fanbase, Durham is reading the tea leaves loud and clear. They want this to mean he’s coming back. And let’s just say the Cameron Crazies are already celebrating.
Cooper Flagg running it back? Fans are almost sure
The internet is blowing up with speculation that Cooper Flagg is coming back for a sophomore year at Duke. One fan went, “Wow, Cooper coming back.” While there’s no official announcement (yet), fans are almost sure that 5-star recruit backing off from his commitment is because Flagg is staying. Because looking at last season, we just know that when Flagg is on the court, he leads. He is in the spotlight. Period. So maybe that didn’t sit right with someone who wanted their own spotlight.
However, head coach Jon Scheyer did say that he hasn’t talked to Flagg about a sophomore return and even added, “I think he’s got to take the next dream in his life, and be the top pick in the NBA Draft.” While the coach thinks Flagg should take up this opportunity, fans desperately want him to return. One wished, “Please tell me this is because there are rumblings of Coop returning 🙏🏻”
