As college basketball gears up for a marquee matchup between two of the top teams in the nation, the rivalry between Duke and Arizona just got a little more personal. Ahead of their highly anticipated game, Arizona’s fiery point guard Kerr Kriisa took a playful jab at Duke’s freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, sarcastically congratulating him on “already” being the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. Kriisa’s remark, delivered with his signature blend of confidence and humor, added an extra layer of spice to what is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse programs.

 

Flagg, who has been widely regarded as the top prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft, is already a household name in the basketball world, despite being just a freshman. At 6’8″ and with a versatile skill set that includes elite shot-blocking, passing, and scoring ability, the Maine native is already drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats. His presence in college basketball has been highly anticipated, and he’s quickly established himself as the player to watch in his inaugural season.

 

While many of Flagg’s peers would be thrilled to be the subject of such early hype, Kriisa, who’s no stranger to giving opponents a hard time, couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the young phenom. During a pregame press conference, Kriisa, who’s known for his brash personality and fiery competitive spirit, offered up a tongue-in-cheek congratulations to Flagg, saying with a grin, “Big shoutout to Cooper Flagg, already the No. 1 pick. Congrats, man, you’ve got it all figured out already.”

 

The remark, delivered with a wink, was met with a mix of laughter and raised eyebrows from the media in attendance. Kriisa’s ability to balance confidence with humor has made him one of the more entertaining players in college basketball, and his comments about Flagg were no exception. While it was clear the praise was dripping with sarcasm, Kriisa’s words carried an underlying challenge, a reminder that the game wasn’t going to be a coronation for Flagg, but rather a test of both players’ abilities on a national stage.

 

Kriisa, a seasoned junior for Arizona, has always prided himself on his leadership and tenacity. As one of the most experienced players on a young Wildcats team, he has embraced the role of both floor general and provocateur. His comments about Flagg were part of a larger trend in college basketball, where players are increasingly willing to trash-talk and hype themselves up in the lead-up to big games.

 

Despite the sarcasm, Kriisa’s respect for Flagg’s talent is undeniable. The Arizona point guard is not one to shy away from competition, and he knows that Flagg’s immense potential makes him a formidable opponent. But in typical Kriisa fashion, he wasn’t about to let the hype around Flagg go unchallenged. Kriisa’s comments underscored the fierce competitive fire that runs through college basketball, where even the most confident players are always looking for an edge over their opponents—whether that edge comes from on-the-court skills or off-the-court banter.

 

The Duke-Arizona game is set to be one of the most talked-about matchups of the season, and Kriisa’s jab at Flagg has only heightened the anticipation. While Flagg will undoubtedly be looking to live up to his No. 1 pick billing, Kriisa and Arizona will be hoping to spoil that narrative, showing that there’s more to the game than just individual accolades.

 

For fans, this is exactly the kind of rivalry and drama that college basketball thrives on—a mix of talent, tension, and a little bit of trash talk. And with players like Kerr Kriisa leading the charge, it’s clear that the road to the top of college basketball will be anything but boring.