On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks made headlines by selecting Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Flagg, an 18-year-old forward from Maine, expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” while surrounded by his family. This significant moment marks a pivotal chapter in Flagg's career following his impressive tenure at Duke University, where he showcased his remarkable skills after being a highly acclaimed player in high school.
Cooper Flagg's standout performance during his freshman year at Duke helped propel the team to the NCAA Final Four. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, Flagg's contributions were vital to his team’s success. His exceptional talent earned him the prestigious Wooden Award, recognizing him as the nation’s best college player, along with honors such as ACC Rookie of the Year and a spot on the ACC All-Defensive Team.
The Mavericks overcame long odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft lottery, a decision that comes at a crucial time for the franchise. The Mavs fanbase, who were left reeling after the team traded superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, are hopeful that Flagg’s addition will help mend the rift and restore excitement within the community.
This selection marks the second time in franchise history that the Mavericks have had the No. 1 overall pick, the first being in 1981 when they drafted Mark Aguirre from DePaul. Flagg’s arrival is highly anticipated, and many believe he has the potential to become a cornerstone for the team.
Following Flagg's selection, the San Antonio Spurs chose Dylan Harper, a point guard from Rutgers, as the second overall pick. Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, is expected to team up with French sensation Victor Wembanyama as the Spurs aim to re-establish their dominance in the Western Conference.
The Philadelphia 76ers rounded out the top three by selecting VJ Edgecombe from Baylor, generating significant cheers from traveling fans at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks were anticipated, but the intrigue heightened with the No. 3 selection.
Further down the line, the Charlotte Hornets picked Kon Knueppel from Duke at No. 4, making it two Duke players within the top four selections. The Utah Jazz then selected Ace Bailey at No. 5, a player who opted out of workouts for the 76ers but still remained a top prospect.
Here’s a summary of the first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft:
1) Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke 2) San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers 3) Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor 4) Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, forward, Duke 5) Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers 6) Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson, guard, Texas 7) New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma 8) Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin, guard/forward, BYU 9) Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina 10) Houston Rockets (traded to Phoenix Suns) – Khaman Maluach, center, DukeThe 2025 NBA draft was filled with anticipation and excitement, especially with the emergence of new talent like Cooper Flagg, who is set to make a significant impact in the league.
