By Larry Smith -- IlliniGuys Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 10, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Last season, ESPN in-game and studio announcers said "Cooper Flagg" so often that you wouldn't blame someone if they thought the phenomenal Duke freshman's last name was "Cooperflagg". As if his stellar play wasn't enough, the Worldwide Leader - as it often does with Duke freshmen - played a big role in making him a household name. Remember Zion Williamson?
They're doing it again with this year's crop of ballyhooed high school recruits now playing . . .
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