On Saturday, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel found themselves wearing opposing jerseys. It was a strange sight after watching the duo dominate together in Duke jerseys last season in their only collegiate season. 

In fact, Knueppel wasn’t the only former teammate that Flagg was facing, as Sion James, another former Duke player, and Liam McNeeley, who played with the top overall pick at Montverde Academy, also suits up for the Charlotte Hornets.

For Flagg, it was a great experience.

“It was cool,” Flagg said after the matchup. “Having three former teammates on the same team, being able to play against them at this level is pretty cool. I just feel blessed to have this opportunity to play against them.”

Following the exhibition, Flagg and Knueppel embraced at midcourt and likely shared some memories from their one year at Duke that included an ACC regular-season and conference title, along with a trip to the Final Four.

“The No. 4 pick is a pretty big deal, so just being happy for him,” Flagg said. “That is somebody who is going to be a friend of mine for life, so just happy for him. I think he is in a great situation and a great spot. I’m just so happy for him moving forward and the opportunity that he has.”