NBA Mock Draft 2025: Duke’s Cooper Flagg Nearly a Lock at No. 1 Overall as His Meteoric Rise Nears Completion

When Cooper Flagg reclassified into the 2024 high school class and committed to Duke, basketball fans, scouts, and NBA executives immediately circled his name. Flagg was not just the next great college basketball player—he was the future. The 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, had long been touted as a generational prospect, and now, as the 2025 NBA Draft nears, he is on the cusp of fulfilling the immense expectations that have followed him for years.

In the latest NBA mock drafts from prominent analysts, Flagg is projected as the No. 1 overall pick, and there’s little doubt he’s earned that spot. His lone season at Duke was a compelling display of skill, maturity, and leadership beyond his years. It’s not just the numbers that make him a top pick—though they’re impressive. Flagg averaged 18.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor separates him from his peers.

What’s most notable is the way Flagg elevated Duke in the biggest moments. His March Madness performance left no doubt he was built for the spotlight. Against top-tier competition, Flagg never wavered. He matched up with future NBA talent and dominated with poise. In the Elite Eight and Final Four, he logged double-doubles and delivered critical defensive stops that preserved wins. He led the Blue Devils to their first national championship game since 2015, and while Duke fell just short, Flagg’s performance solidified his status as a franchise-changing talent.

Scouts rave about his motor, instincts, and versatility. He’s one of those rare players who can guard every position, anchor a defense, and still operate as a primary offensive option. In a modern NBA that values positionless basketball, Flagg’s game fits seamlessly. He reads the game like a veteran, showing anticipation on defense and awareness on offense that simply isn’t typical of a teenager.

The team holding the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft has a potential cornerstone on its hands. While the lottery hasn’t yet finalized, the league’s worst teams—such as the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Hornets—are undoubtedly studying Flagg’s tape on loop. He’s not just the best player available; he’s the kind of player franchises build around.

What makes Flagg’s journey even more compelling is how he has handled the hype. From his days dominating prep basketball at Montverde Academy to his time with Team USA and now his freshman year at Duke, he has consistently lived up to and even exceeded expectations. The pressure that might overwhelm others has only fueled Flagg’s rise. Those close to him often mention his work ethic and competitive fire—traits that don’t show up in the box score but matter immensely in the NBA.

Flagg’s character is a major selling point as well. Coaches at Duke, including Jon Scheyer, frequently lauded his humility and leadership. “He doesn’t act like he’s better than anyone, but everyone knows he is,” one assistant coach said during the season. “He’s the kind of guy who’ll stay after practice to rebound for teammates, then go and put up 200 extra shots on his own. That’s Cooper.”

His basketball IQ is another standout trait. At Duke, Flagg often served as a de facto point forward. He brought the ball up the court, initiated sets, and found shooters in rhythm. NBA teams are increasingly valuing playmaking forwards, and Flagg fits that mold. His passing vision, particularly in transition, is far ahead of where most 19-year-olds are. And while he doesn’t need to be the primary playmaker to succeed, the fact that he can be is a testament to his multi-dimensional skill set.

Defensively, Flagg is the prototype of what teams dream about. He can block shots as a weak-side rim protector, switch onto guards and contain them, and disrupt passing lanes with his length and anticipation. He’s an elite communicator and understands rotations like a seasoned pro. Analysts have compared his defensive potential to that of Scottie Pippen, Draymond Green, and even Kevin Garnett—a reflection of how wide-ranging and impactful his defensive game is already.

While Flagg is widely considered the clear top prospect, this draft class is not lacking talent. Players like USC’s Isaiah Collier, Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, and French wing Zaccharie Risacher are all projected to go in the lottery and are high-upside players. But none of them combine Flagg’s skill set, intangibles, and ceiling. Collier is a dynamic point guard with great size and finishing ability; Walter is an explosive scorer with NBA shooting range; Risacher brings length and European polish. Still, Flagg is in a class of his own.

One NBA executive recently told ESPN, “If you pass on Cooper Flagg, you better be right. Because he has the potential to come back and haunt you for 15 years.” It’s a sentiment shared widely throughout league front offices. While other prospects have positional value or elite tools, Flagg has it all: physical ability, skill, mentality, and the capacity to make others better.

What also sets Flagg apart is his floor. Even if he doesn’t reach his ceiling—and that ceiling is a perennial All-Star or even MVP—he’s still likely to be a long-term starter and top-end defender. There’s almost no scenario where he doesn’t help an NBA team right away. He’ll likely need to add strength and adjust to the speed of the pro game, but his instincts and understanding of the game will ease that transition.

Off the court, Flagg has also been careful about managing his brand and presence. In an era of social media highlights and NIL deals, he’s kept a relatively low profile, choosing to let his play speak for itself. That maturity appeals to teams worried about distractions or ego-driven development. It also mirrors the approach taken by many of today’s stars—let the work define the narrative.

As the draft draws closer, expect Flagg’s status as the consensus No. 1 pick to become even firmer. Private workouts, interviews, and the NBA Combine will only reinforce what teams already know. He’s ready. He’s been ready. And soon, he’ll be the centerpiece of an NBA franchise with dreams of returning to relevance.

The only real question remaining is which team will get the honor of calling his name first. Whichever franchise lands the top pick will have an enviable foundation to build upon. Cooper Flagg represents not just a step forward—but potentially a giant leap. For a league constantly in search of its next superstar, the answer may already be waiting in Durham, North Carolina.

From a quiet town in Maine to basketball’s grandest stages, Flagg’s journey is nearly complete. The draft is the final formality. The real story is just beginning.