Three Blue Devils Earn All-ACC Honors: A Testament to Duke’s Depth and Dominance

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has long been a breeding ground for elite basketball talent, and the 2024–25 season was no exception. As the regular season wrapped up and postseason accolades were announced, Duke University stood tall with three of its stars earning All-ACC honors. These individual recognitions were not only well-deserved but also reflective of Duke’s impressive campaign under head coach Jon Scheyer.

Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach were the standouts for the Blue Devils, each carving out a unique path to postseason acclaim. Their honors represent the culmination of months of hard work, resilience, and a fierce commitment to excellence. Let’s dive deep into their seasons, their journeys, and what these honors mean for their futures and for the Duke basketball program.

Cooper Flagg: The Freshman Phenom Who Took College Basketball by Storm

If there was a face of college basketball this season, it was Cooper Flagg. Coming into Duke as one of the most hyped recruits in years, expectations were sky-high — and somehow, Flagg exceeded them all.

At 6’9″ with guard-like skills, Flagg showcased a breathtaking blend of athleticism, intelligence, and leadership rarely seen at the collegiate level. His season averages spoke volumes:

19.2 points per game
7.5 rebounds per game
4.2 assists per game
2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game

He led Duke in five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. No freshman in Duke history — not even Zion Williamson — had such a complete statistical command over a team.

Flagg’s list of honors:

ACC Player of the Year
ACC Rookie of the Year
All-ACC First Team
ACC All-Defensive Team
ACC All-Rookie Team

The way Flagg dominated games — not just through scoring but by dictating tempo, anchoring the defense, and elevating his teammates — made it clear that he was a generational talent. His standout performances against ranked opponents like North Carolina, Miami, and Virginia Tech only strengthened his case as the nation’s top player.

In key games, Flagg consistently delivered:

31 points and 11 rebounds vs UNC at Cameron Indoor
Triple-double vs Virginia (22 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds)
Dominant defense against Miami (5 blocks, 4 steals)

He wasn’t just a freshman sensation; he was the best player in the country, full stop.

It’s no surprise that shortly after the season ended, Flagg declared for the NBA Draft, projected to be the #1 overall pick (source).

Kon Knueppel: The Silent Assassin Emerges

While Flagg grabbed headlines, Kon Knueppel quietly became one of Duke’s most indispensable players. A sophomore guard with a silky shooting stroke and an uncanny basketball IQ, Knueppel blossomed into a consistent scoring threat.

His stats told the story:

14.8 points per game
4.3 rebounds per game
2.9 assists per game
42.7% from three-point range

Kon’s ability to stretch defenses was critical to Duke’s offensive flow. His off-ball movement, catch-and-shoot precision, and surprising strength attacking the rim made him a matchup nightmare.

He was awarded:

All-ACC Second Team

Knueppel’s performances grew stronger as the season progressed. In the ACC Tournament semifinal against NC State, he poured in 24 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, helping to seal Duke’s place in the championship game.

What separated Knueppel from other shooters was his complete offensive game — he could create off the dribble, make the right pass under pressure, and play with a poise well beyond his years.

Projected as a potential late first-round or early second-round NBA pick, Knueppel may return for his junior season — or he could ride his rising draft stock to the pros.

Khaman Maluach: The Towering Anchor

Perhaps the biggest surprise (both figuratively and literally) for Duke was Khaman Maluach. Standing a monstrous 7’2″, the freshman center from South Sudan quickly became the backbone of Duke’s defense.

Maluach’s stats:

8.6 points per game
7.9 rebounds per game
2.7 blocks per game

His accolades included:

All-ACC Honorable Mention
ACC All-Defensive Team consideration

Defensively, Maluach altered shots, clogged passing lanes, and consistently bailed Duke out when perimeter defenders got beat. His timing on shot-blocking and his instinctive rebounding positioned him as one of the best young centers in the nation.

His offensive game, once raw, improved steadily over the season. By March, he had developed a reliable hook shot, better footwork in the post, and an improved free-throw stroke.

Duke’s late-season surge — including key victories over Clemson and Louisville — was fueled by Maluach’s dominance in the paint, where he routinely posted double-doubles.

How These Honors Reflect on Jon Scheyer’s Program

Jon Scheyer, in just his third season as head coach, delivered on the promise he showed as Mike Krzyzewski’s hand-picked successor. Scheyer didn’t just recruit well — he developed players.

Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach represent three different types of success stories:

A heralded superstar exceeding even impossible expectations (Flagg)
A high-upside recruit blossoming into a complete player (Knueppel)
A raw international prospect becoming an elite rim protector (Maluach)

This diversity speaks volumes about Duke’s culture: one that fosters growth, discipline, and star-level production.

Additionally, Duke’s training staff, analytics department, and strength and conditioning programs all played key roles in these players’ development.

The Broader Impact: Duke’s Resurgence as “NBA U”

With three players earning postseason honors — and at least two likely headed to the NBA within a year — Duke has solidified its reputation once again as the premier pipeline to the pros.

Other programs may land flashy recruits, but Duke consistently develops players for the next level.

This year’s honors only add to that perception and make future five-star prospects more likely to consider Durham their first destination on the path to NBA stardom.

What’s Next?

Cooper Flagg will almost certainly be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Kon Knueppel will weigh entering the NBA draft or returning for a starring role next season.
Khaman Maluach could return for his sophomore year, potentially entering the Player of the Year conversation with continued improvement.

Meanwhile, Duke’s incoming recruiting class remains stacked, suggesting that the Blue Devils are far from finished dominating the ACC.

Add in the return of key veterans and possibly another portal addition or two, and the 2025–26 Blue Devils may be even deeper than this season’s Final Four squad.

A Season to Remember

In many ways, 2024–25 was a renaissance year for Duke basketball. The combination of elite individual talent, cohesive team play, and masterful coaching brought the program back into the national spotlight.

And at the center of it all were three players:

Cooper Flagg: The transformative superstar.
Kon Knueppel: The reliable sniper and secondary playmaker.
Khaman Maluach: The imposing defensive anchor.

Their All-ACC honors were more than just personal accolades. They were statements — loud, proud declarations that Duke is still the standard in college basketball.

As the next generation prepares to take the court, the achievements of Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach will serve as both inspiration and a challenge: to keep pushing the legacy forward.

Duke’s future remains as bright as ever.