Breaking News: Injury report regarding Duke top star Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown

Cooper Flagg’s Role on Duke Basketball Team Unchanged Despite Injury to Center

Cooper Flagg has been a dominant force for the Duke basketball team over the past five weeks, and head coach Jon Scheyer has no intention of altering the freshman phenom’s role despite an injury to center Maliq Brown.

During a media session on Monday, Scheyer was asked whether Flagg might shift to center to help fill the void left by Brown. Scheyer quickly dismissed the idea.

“I don’t want to mess with what’s working for him,” Scheyer said. “He needs to stay the course where he’s at. His versatility is one of his biggest strengths, and that’s why he and Maliq [Brown] complement each other so well.”

Jan 11, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA;  Duke basketball forward Cooper Flagg (2) drives to the basket as Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3) defends during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

To cover Brown’s absence, Duke will rely on a rotation of players, including starting center Khaman Maluach, freshman Patrick Ngongba, and Purdue transfer Mason Gillis.

Flagg is coming off a historic 42-point performance against Notre Dame, where he shot 11-of-14 from the field and 16-of-17 from the free throw line. He set a new Duke and ACC freshman scoring record and became the first player in program history to score 40 points in a game since JJ Redick. His stellar play has positioned him as the frontrunner for National Player of the Year honors.

Scheyer acknowledged the impact of Brown’s absence but emphasized the importance of letting him recover fully.
“There’s no replacing Maliq’s versatility and his ability to disrupt on defense with deflections and steals,” Scheyer said. “It’s a significant loss, but this gives him a chance to get healthy and return to his best form.”

Against Notre Dame, Maluach stepped up with a career-high 32 minutes, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds—both career-best marks.

Maliq Brown Injury Gives Duke Basketball Opportunity to Test Promising Freshman

Duke basketball will be without center Maliq Brown for an extended period, head coach Jon Scheyer confirmed, marking a significant defensive loss for the Blue Devils. However, Brown’s absence presents an opportunity for 4-star freshman Patrick Ngongba II to showcase his potential.

Ngongba, who began the season recovering from a high school foot injury, has seen limited action so far. He has played in just seven games, averaging 8.3 minutes per contest. Now, with Brown sidelined, the Virginia native has a chance to prove himself as a valuable contributor to the team.

The next stretch of games could be pivotal for Ngongba’s future at Duke, particularly given the ever-changing landscape of college basketball with the transfer portal and NIL deals. Should he struggle to make an impact during Brown’s absence, his role on the Blue Devil roster could come into question, especially with Brown potentially returning next season and Khaman Maluach likely headed to the NBA.

Nov 16, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke basketball center Khaman Maluach (9) welcomes center Patrick Ngongba II (21) to the court in the first half against the Wofford Terriers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. On a brighter note, Ngongba’s gradual development has been evident. He logged five first-half minutes in Duke’s win over Notre Dame, scoring two points. With a favorable schedule ahead—against teams like Miami and Boston College that lack dominant frontcourts—Ngongba is well-positioned to capitalize on increased playing time.

While Maluach played a career-high 32 minutes against Notre Dame, it’s unlikely he’ll sustain such heavy minutes moving forward. This opens the door for Ngongba to take on a larger role, even if he won’t immediately replace Brown as the team’s sixth man.

 

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