Duke's Jon Scheyer Fires Back at Cooper Flagg with Epic Response
Duke's Jon Scheyer Fires Back at Cooper Flagg with Epic Response originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
A little friendly jab in Durham? Maybe, when it comes to Cooper Flagg and Jon Scheyer.
Scheyer couldn't help but laugh when a familiar name popped up during his appearance on "The Brotherhood Podcast," hosted by Justin Robinson on Wednesday.
Advertisement
'We're gonna start off with a guy you know really well, Cooper Flagg. He reached out,' Robinson said. 'He asked, how amazing was it to coach Cooper Flagg?'
Scheyer didn't miss a beat.
"You know, and that's, when we said we were gonna do this, I wasn't thinking about getting questions from Cooper. The fact that he has a question [...] I don't know how amazing I wanna say it was, but, it was amazing beating him in a horse. Yeah. Every day after practice."
It was a light-hearted dig, but it also showed the relationship Scheyer and Flagg had developed during the season.
The Duke head coach quickly pivoted to a more serious tone.
Advertisement
"Cooper was incredible this year," Scheyer said. "And and you know it's the fact that he showed up every day, was an incredible teammate, always came with great energy, and then I think what he did on the court speaks for itself."
Flagg, the former No. 1 overall recruit, had one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in recent memory.
He led Duke in five major statistical categories and helped propel the Blue Devils into national contention.
But what stood out even more than his numbers was how he carried himself.
"Cooper, it was a great big guy," Scheyer concluded. "Love coaching you, man."
The back-and-forth between Scheyer and Flagg—who's now off to the NBA—offered a rare glimpse into their locker room dynamic.
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg and head coach Jon Scheyer© Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
It wasn't all business. There was joy, competition, and plenty of laughs.
Advertisement
And if you ask Scheyer, he won't forget the wins in horse anytime soon.
Cooper Flagg left a mark at Duke. And judging by Scheyer's grin, that mark was just as personal as it was professional.
Related: Mike Krzyzewski Names Best Player in Duke Basketball History Without Hesitation
Related: Duke Makes Mike Krzyzewski Announcement on Tuesday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liberty Coach Sends Strong Message on Kiki Iriafen
Liberty Coach Sends Strong Message on Kiki Iriafen originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kiki Iriafen is only a rookie, but she's already caught the attention of the WNBA, from being named Rookie of the Month on Wednesday to setting records to even impressing the competition, including Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Advertisement Ahead of the Washington Mystics' matchup against the New York Liberty on Thursday night, Brondello praised Iriafen for how well she's adjusted from playing in college at USC to now the WNBA. "I've been really, really impressed with her game, to be quite honest," Brondello told the media, per Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post. Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) dribbles the ball in the second quarter against the Indiana Fever at Entertainment & Sports Faith Morgan-Imagn Images "I think she probably may be a better pro than when she was in college, I mean that's just how the game translates to this level. She's got this great, physical, big body. She's got confidence. She has a lot of freedom to play. I think that's good for young players like that, but [she's] very skilled." Advertisement At USC, Iriafen posted 18 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a senior, but in her pro debut season, the Mystics' 2025 No. 4 draft pick has elevated her game: not only is she averaging a double-double of 14.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, but she's leading all rookies in rebounds per game and is ranked No. 4 in the entire WNBA. The other names above her? A'ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, and Angel Reese. Despite the Mystics 78-86 loss to New York, Iriafen was impressive with her ability to hold her own in the paint: whether she was snagging 6 of the Mystics' 12 total offensive boards or remaining poised in the fourth and catching a perfectly on target lob from teammate Shakira Austin, Iriafen continues to show why many are already considering her a favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Related: Kiki Iriafen Joins Elite WNBA Company Against Indiana Fever This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite using their second round pick to select UCF running back, RJ Harvey, there is still a feeling that the Denver Broncos' RB room could use some reinforcements. Advertisement Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Tyler Badie are all nice complementary, auxiliary pieces, but none feel like they can be part of a hard-hitting, one-two punch with Harvey. So it makes sense that the team planned a visit with free agent, and ex Charger and Raven, JK Dobbins on Thursday. And head coach, Sean Payton, had some complementary words to say about the former AFC West rival, per Mike Klis. 'Another good football player that we've seen firsthand." Payton said to the media on Thursday, "I've seen for a while the importance of that position group. We really like the group right now we're working with, it's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.' JK Dobbins, Baltimore RavensPaul Rutherford-Imagn Image Dobbins is not necessarily an earth-shatteringly big name, but he is certainly an excellent back who would undoubtedly be on a roster right now as the RB1 - or high end 2 - if it were not for consistent injuries that have threaten to derail his otherwise potential-filled career. Advertisement Even though the former second round pick missed four games in 2024, he still managed 905 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, with an additional 153 receiving yards off of 32 receptions. Of the backs still left unsigned in the NFL, Dobbins has arguably the best case for being a true, quality starting back in the league - and could be an excellent mentor and teammate for Harvey over the next season or two. That is, if he does end up signing with the Broncos. Related: Broncos' Talanoa Hufanga Breaks Silence on Playing Alongside Patrick Surtain II This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shaquille O'Neal is a big man with big opinions. Affectionately known as "Shaq", the Hall of Famer has continued an impressive run of success in his post-playing career. Advertisement While becoming an integral part and staple of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, O'Neal has also carved out time to co-host multiple podcasts since retiring from the NBA. It's on this platform, where O'Neal's unfiltered opinions can roam freely. The four-time NBA champion, and one-time NBA MVP, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. After calling it quits in 2011 after an incredible 19-year-career, O'Neal feels qualified to give his opinion on current players who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During an episode of "The Big Podcast" this week, alongside Adam Lefkoe, O'Neal made a strong statement when Lefkoe suggested Jayson Tatum's NBA resume, through just eight seasons, should put him in the Hall of Fame. "He's a Hall of Famer? You motherf***ers are just throwing people (Jayson Tatum) in there now," O'Neal said. Advertisement Lefkoe ran down Tatum's list of accomplishments through his eight-year-career. Tatum has been named to three All-NBA First Teams, has been named an All-Star five times, and has won an Olympic gold medal. Tatum, who suffered a gruesome torn left Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinals, will likely miss a large portion of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | © John Jones-Imagn Images O'Neal went on to elaborate on the current NBA players, outside of LeBron James who is assured a spot, who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I would have to go (Stephen) Curry, he's got three or four rings. Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and Joker (Nikola Jokic)," O'Neal said. Advertisement Related: Shaq Drops Multiple Expletives on Live 'Inside the NBA' Broadcast Related: Shaq Slams Zion Williamson's Career-Best Performance During Pelicans-Clippers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
