Duke Blue Devils’ basketball sensation Cooper Flagg has made waves on and off the court, becoming the first NCAA men’s basketball player to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Gatorade. The sports drink giant announced the groundbreaking endorsement on Tuesday, just a few months after Flagg arrived on campus.
“This has been a big year for me on and off the court, and Gatorade has been there every step of the way,” Flagg said in a statement. “From being named the best Gatorade Male Player of the Year to now officially joining the team, it’s been exciting to have my name mentioned alongside the biggest names in basketball. The Gatorade brand is iconic, and I’m thrilled to work with them as I take this next step.”
Flagg, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, joins an elite roster of college athletes under Gatorade’s sponsorship, which includes UConn’s Paige Bueckers, USC’s Juju Watkins, and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Gatorade’s global head of sports marketing, Jeff Kearney, expressed the brand’s enthusiasm: “Cooper is an incredible talent who has quickly emerged as one of the best young players in the nation, and we know he has a bright future ahead. At Gatorade, we work with the best, and we’re proud to welcome Cooper to the family.”
The 6-foot-9 forward has already made a significant impact in Durham. Widely considered the best prospect since Zion Williamson, Flagg is the only underclassman named to the Associated Press preseason All-American team. During his senior year at Montverde Academy, he led the team to a perfect 34-0 record, averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 1.6 steals while shooting an impressive 55.1% from the field.
Flagg’s arrival has elevated expectations for the Blue Devils, who have been named preseason favorites to win the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team boasts a star-studded lineup, including fellow NBA prospects Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel, as well as returning standouts Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster.
Flagg has already shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 22 points and dishing out six assists in his debut against Lincoln University. He followed that performance with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in a dominant exhibition win over Arizona State. Duke’s 2024-25 season tipped off Monday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium against Maine, Flagg’s home-state powerhouse.
Stay tuned to Bull City Citizen for comprehensive coverage of Flagg’s journey and Duke’s quest for basketball supremacy.
