Cooper Flagg enters 2025 NBA Draft, likely to be No. 1 pick after one season with Duke basketball
Flagg, the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Player of the Year award, is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick on June 25 in Brooklyn. Two of the previous two players to win the award – Duke’s Zion Williamson (2019) and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (2012) – went on to become the top selection after one-and-done seasons in college.
If Flagg is the first player to be called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the 18-year-old Maine native would be the sixth Blue Devil to be the first pick in the draft. That list includes Williamson (2019), Paolo Banchero (2022), Kyrie Irving (2011), Elton Brand (1999) and Art Heyman (1963).
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Shortly after the announcement, the Blue Devils released a video of Duke coach Jon Scheyer discussing Flagg.
“As good of a freshman season as a guy’s had here,” Scheyer said.
“But, to me, the separator and the joy of coaching Cooper is the person he was every day. … Cooper did an incredible job in every facet of our program, on and off the court with what he’s done.”
Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel was the first of Duke’s freshmen to announce his plans to enter the draft, followed by junior guard Tyrese Proctor. Here’s a look at Flagg’s stats with the Blue Devils and possible landing spots in the 2025 NBA Draft.
When breaking down his best performances from his freshman season, the Notre Dame and Arizona games are at the top of the list. Flagg became the youngest player in NCAA history to reach 40 points when he dropped an ACC freshman record 42 points in a home win against the Fighting Irish. He made March Madness history against the Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, becoming the first player to log at least 30 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game.
