Cooper Flagg is an 18-year-old prodigy, formerly of Duke University. Surprising no one, he has been making headlines ever since by being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While this may seem a minor accomplishment, it’s a huge milestone in his burgeoning career. It turns him into the 2nd youngest player in history to be drafted first overall in the NBA’s history. That Dallas team did win the NBA Draft lottery with extraordinarily low 1.8 percent odds. That win gained them the tiebreaker victory for the very real right to select Flagg.
Flagg’s incredible journey started pretty early on, his freshman year at Duke. There, he served as a player and captain while helping to lead the team to an NCAA Final Four appearance. Throughout the season, Flagg showcased his exceptional skills and versatility on the court, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. His electrifying performance that night to nine assists made him less of a diamond in the rough and more of the college basketball world’s best-kept secret.
At 6-foot-8 and 221-pounds, Flagg is an imposing figure. His rare blend of size, strength, and athleticism is what truly separates him from other players. His proficiency to effectuate every element of play is why he’s a must-have pickup for any NBA team. He remained on standby for months, counting the days and dreaming of the day he’d be drafted. With every day that went by, his anticipation only climbed higher.
Flagg’s Duke teammate Kon Knueppel had some strong words about playing with Flagg. As he put it, “It was a huge cultural signal on Duke’s campus. This feeling is an indication of the grand expectations that are on Flagg as he makes the leap from the NCAA to the NBA.
The Dallas outfit Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem plans to welcome Flagg into its roster of public defenders. They’re hoping the playmaking ability they know he brings elevates the offensive unit to new levels. The franchise’s decision to bring on Flagg is another encouraging step in making smart decisions to build a young, competitive future.
From the tears that streamed from Flagg’s eyes, as he began to understand the weight of having been selected first overall. “I’m feeling everything – all the emotions mixed in one bucket,” said another prominent player in the draft, Dylan Harper. These types of statements show the duality of excitement and expectation that comes with being a number one overall pick in the NBA.
