Mavericks select Duke star Cooper Flagg with first overall NBA draft pick
The 2025 NBA Draft saw the Dallas Mavericks make a historic selection by choosing former Duke standout Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick. Flagg, a White American player, became the first to be drafted with the top pick since Kent Benson in 1977, as reported by Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated.
Flagg’s journey to the NBA began with an impressive freshman year at Duke, where he was the top-ranked recruit in the nation. He led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and earned multiple accolades, including consensus First Team All-America honors, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year. He even broke Duke and ACC freshman scoring records with a 42-point performance against Notre Dame.
The Mavericks’ selection of Flagg came after a controversial draft lottery, where they defied the odds to secure the first overall pick. This unexpected outcome raised eyebrows, especially after the team had recently traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that many experts deemed unfavorable for Dallas.
LeBron James, who hosts the “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash, praised Flagg’s potential and versatility on the court. James highlighted Flagg’s skills with the ball, shooting ability, and predicted a bright future for the young prospect in the NBA.
As Flagg prepares to embark on his professional career, the basketball world is eager to see how he will impact the league. With his impressive college resume and high praise from NBA legends like LeBron James, Flagg has the potential to make a significant impact in the NBA.
Jackson Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, provided this insightful coverage of Flagg’s journey to the NBA. With experience covering major sporting events and interviewing iconic figures, Thompson’s expertise adds depth to the narrative of Flagg’s rise to basketball stardom.
