Cooper Flagg Emerges as Top Contender for National Player of the Year Award

• Duke’s Cooper Flagg is now a massive favorite to win National Player of the Year
• Flagg set the ACC freshman scoring record on Saturday vs Notre Dame
• Keep reading for the latest National Player of the Year odds, plus betting analysis

There has been a litany of great players that have come through the Duke basketball program. Freshman Cooper Flagg may be the best one yet.

Flagg accomplished a feat no other Blue Devil had done before on Saturday, and his performance has drastically shifted the National Player of the Year odds.

2025 Wooden Award Odds

Flagg is now a massive -350 favorite in the Wooden Award odds. Auburn’s Johni Broome, the latest favorite before Flagg, has seen his price lengthened to +300, in part due to an ankle injury he suffered on Saturday. Marquette’s Kam Jones, meanwhile, remains the third choice.

Odds as of January 11th at DraftKings. Claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on College Basketball futures.

Flagg’s Record-Setting Day

Back to Flagg, who put on a show for the ages versus Notre Dame. The 18-year-old scored a career-high 42 points, breaking the ACC scoring record for most points by a freshman. He buried four 3’s, grabbed 7 boards and dished out 6 assists, punctuating the effort with this incredible slam.

ANOTHER ONE @Cooper_Flagg 🔨🔨🔨🔨🔨 pic.twitter.com/DRjRW5M21c

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 11, 2025

The outing bumps his scoring average to 19.0 points per game, tops on his team and third-best in the ACC. He’s helped Duke improve to 14-2, including 6-0 in conference play, and rise to number 4 in the AP Top 25 rankings.

If you’re looking at National Player of the Year resumes through the first few months, Flagg checks all the boxes. He’s been dubbed the next great NBA prospect, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a mock draft that doesn’t have his name atop the list.

It’s rare that a freshman wins Player of the Year honors, but it’s certainly not unheard of. Three freshmen have won the award in the past, and the last also donned Duke colors. Zion Williamson joined Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis as freshman winners back in 2019, and Flagg could soon be following in their footsteps.

Buy or Fade Flagg

Flagg’s Player of the Year odds give him an implied probability of 77.78% to win the award. If you feel like he’d take home the trophy 78 times out of 100, then by all means, pull the trigger and bet him as soon as you can.

Personally, I feel there’s too much variance in sports to lay that kind of price. Flagg is one injury or cold spell away from coming back to the pack, and you don’t want to be the bettor holding a -350 ticket when that happens.

One positive development from Flagg’s ascension to such heavy favorite status, is the ripple effect on the other contenders.

Jonesing for the Award

With Broome’s injury status up in the air, we can’t target him as a bet. That’s actually a shame, because he’s played at an elite level all season, and is one of the primary reasons Auburn started the weekend as favorites in the National Championship odds.

That brings us to Jones. His Golden Eagles are up to #7 in the rankings, thanks to a 14-2 start. Jones has been the catalyst, averaging 20 points and 6 dimes per game, while shooting over 50% from the field.

The Wooden Award race to me has 3 main candidates thus far, and if the season ended today I would give it to this guy… pic.twitter.com/e4RKI0QHO8

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 10, 2025

Jones is creeping up draft boards these days, and many experts predict he could vault into the lottery. He doesn’t project as highly in the pros as Flagg, but he’s still the most productive perimeter player in college hoops by a significant margin.

If he can carry Marquette to a Big East title and a top seed at March Madness, his price will shorten, and he’ll be a legitimate threat to win this award. That’s a bet worth taking a shot on at +750.

• Pick: Kam Jones (+750)

As the college basketball season heats up, one player is starting to separate himself from the pack as a top contender for the prestigious National Player of the Year award. Cooper Flagg, a junior guard for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, has been turning heads with his exceptional play on both ends of the court.

Flagg, a 6’5″ guard with a silky smooth jump shot and explosive athleticism, has been putting up eye-popping numbers this season. He is currently leading the nation in scoring, averaging over 25 points per game, while also contributing in other areas with solid rebounding and playmaking abilities. His ability to take over games and make clutch plays in crucial moments has been a key factor in his team’s success this season.

But it’s not just his statistics that have caught the attention of basketball fans and analysts alike. Flagg’s leadership on and off the court has been instrumental in guiding his team to a top ranking in the national polls. His work ethic and dedication to improving his game have set him apart from his peers, and his competitive spirit has inspired his teammates to elevate their own play.

In addition to his individual success, Flagg has also been a standout performer in big games against top competition. Whether it’s hitting game-winning shots or locking down the opposing team’s best player on defense, he has consistently risen to the occasion when his team has needed him most. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver in clutch moments has solidified his status as one of the top players in the country.

As the season progresses and the race for the National Player of the Year award heats up, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg as he looks to cement his place among college basketball’s elite. With his combination of skill, athleticism, and leadership, he has all the tools to not only win the award but also lead his team to a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Keep an eye on Cooper Flagg as he continues to make a name for himself on the national stage.