Cooper Flagg Ready for Duke's NCAA Tournament Opener

Duke University star freshman Cooper Flagg will be ready to play in the NCAA tournament opener against Mount St. Mary's after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the ACC tournament. Flagg, a consensus All-American and expected top NBA draft pick, missed Duke's final two ACC tournament games but has been cleared to return with full mobility following a successful rehabilitation program. Head coach Jon Scheyer and Flagg himself have expressed confidence in his ability to perform at full capacity, emphasizing the cautious yet effective recovery process led by Duke's training staff. The Blue Devils, who are the No. 1 seed in the East Region, are favored to make a deep run in the tournament. Flagg's return is pivotal for Duke, which finished the regular season with a 31-3 record. The team expects to overcome Mount St. Mary's and potentially face the winner of Mississippi State vs. Baylor in the next round.