The Duke Blue Devils may have cruised to a 100-58 victory over Army on Friday night, but head coach John Scheyer left the game with serious concerns about his star freshman Cooper Flagg. The consensus projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft impressed with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals in limited action. However, cramping issues forced Flagg to miss most of the second half, leaving Scheyer visibly frustrated.
“We’ve got to help him,” Scheyer emphatically stated in his postgame press conference. “I’m not happy about it, for him. We’ve got to help him. And we will.” The first-year head coach vowed to meet with Duke’s training staff immediately, even if it took all night, to get to the bottom of Flagg’s recurring cramping problems. “We can’t have that happen. Bottom line,” Scheyer declared.
A Familiar Issue for Duke’s Phenoms
Flagg’s situation feels like déjà vu for Duke fans. Just two seasons ago, then-freshman sensation Paolo Banchero battled similar cramping woes early in his lone college campaign. The ailment forced Banchero, the eventual No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, to miss significant portions of marquee matchups against Kentucky and Gonzaga.
Duke’s sports science team ultimately conducted a “sweat test” on Banchero to identify the root cause. The results led to Banchero drinking a specialized fluid called BOA during games, which helped prevent further cramping incidents. Now, Scheyer is hoping for a similarly effective solution for Flagg.
Disrupting Flagg’s Dominant Performances
Before the cramping derailed his night, Flagg was putting on a show against Army. The 6-foot-8 forward from Montverde Academy, whom LeBron James anointed as “the future of the NBA,” displayed his versatile skill set with an array of rebounds, assists, blocks and smooth scoring moves.
“I thought he had it going, too. That first half, he was really controlling the whole game with his rebounding, his passing, his playmaking, his scoring. He was assertive shooting the ball.”
– Duke coach John Scheyer on Cooper Flagg’s dominant first half vs. Army
But as the second half began, Flagg was visibly hobbled. He limped to the bench, grabbed a Gatorade, and was forced to watch the rest of the blowout victory from the sidelines. For a competitor like Flagg, it was surely a frustrating turn of events.
The Importance of Proper Hydration and Nutrition
Cramping is often caused by dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or poor nutrition habits. For elite athletes like Flagg who are pushing their bodies to the limit, staying on top of fluid and nutrient intake is crucial. Even mild dehydration can hinder performance and increase cramping risk.
College training staffs, especially for high-profile programs like Duke, are usually well-versed in hydration and nutrition protocols. However, each athlete’s needs are unique. What worked for Banchero two years ago may not be the optimal approach for Flagg.
Scheyer and his sports science team will need to work closely with Flagg to assess his individual sweat rate, electrolyte losses, and fueling strategies. Customized hydration plans, potentially including specially-formulated drinks and mid-game monitoring, could help mitigate the cramping issues moving forward.
Eyes on the Prize for Flagg and Duke
Expectations are sky-high for both Flagg and the Blue Devils this season. Many experts predict Duke will contend for the national title behind Flagg’s transcendent talent. NBA scouts are already salivating over his pro potential. But to reach those lofty goals, keeping Flagg healthy and on the court is paramount.
Scheyer understands the stakes. By prioritizing a solution to Flagg’s cramping problems this early in the season, he’s showing leadership and a commitment to his young star’s well-being. If Duke can get this issue under control, the college basketball world had better watch out. A fully unleashed Cooper Flagg is a scary proposition for any opponent.
The Blue Devils’ road to the Final Four is just beginning, but navigating this early speed bump will be critical. With Scheyer’s determination and an elite sports medicine team on the case, don’t bet against them finding an answer. The fate of Duke’s season, and perhaps Flagg’s skyrocketing legacy, could depend on it.
