Cooper Flagg Cleared to Play in Duke's NCAA Tournament Opener

The freshman star returns from a sprained ankle as No. 1 seed Duke faces Mount St. Mary's in Raleigh.

Cooper Flagg, Duke's statistical leader and projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, will play in the NCAA Tournament opener after recovering from a sprained left ankle.
Flagg sustained the injury during the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on March 13 and missed two games, including Duke's championship victory.
Medical evaluations, including X-rays and an MRI, confirmed no serious damage, allowing Flagg to return to full practice on March 19.
Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized a cautious recovery process to ensure Flagg's readiness without risking further injury.
Duke enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East Region and will face No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's, which earned its spot through a First Four win.