Three Rising Stars, One Big Night: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach Receive 2025 NBA Draft Green Room Invites

In what marks a significant nod to their rising stardom and projected top-tier draft status, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach have officially been invited to the NBA Draft green room — the coveted inner circle where basketball’s most elite prospects await their names to be called on one of the most life-changing nights of their young careers. For these three future pros, the invitation is more than a ceremonial gesture. It’s a declaration from NBA executives and scouts that they’re not just talented players — they’re headline acts of the 2025 draft class.

The green room invitation is extended only to prospects expected to be selected in the top 20 picks, and for Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach, that feels more like a certainty than a projection. All three took drastically different paths to this moment, but each one arrives with buzz, hype, and expectation that places them under the draft night spotlight.

Let’s start with Cooper Flagg — the Maine phenom who’s been in the national conversation since his middle school days. Flagg’s invitation was expected, but that doesn’t make it any less significant. Having reclassified to the 2024 high school class and committed to Duke, Flagg brought with him a modern blend of skill, athleticism, and IQ that scouts adore. Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg is a two-way forward with the versatility to defend multiple positions, shoot from deep, and serve as a secondary playmaker. His ability to elevate teammates while also dominating when needed has drawn comparisons to franchise-level NBA players. With an unrelenting motor, sharp instincts, and a calm under pressure that belies his age, Flagg is widely expected to be a top-three selection.

His one season at Duke only confirmed what scouts had long believed — Flagg is NBA-ready. From day one in Durham, he showed poise, leadership, and dominance. He averaged 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game, all while shooting nearly 37% from beyond the arc. Defensively, he served as the anchor of Duke’s frontcourt and routinely drew the toughest assignments. There were flashes of brilliance — a triple-double against North Carolina, a 30-point night versus Kansas — that turned heads and solidified his draft stock. Now, with the green room invite in hand, Flagg prepares to take that final leap from college sensation to professional star.

Next is Kon Knueppel — a name that may not have carried the same early national buzz as Flagg but has soared up draft boards due to an elite offensive toolbox and consistent production. The 6-foot-6 guard out of Wisconsin became one of college basketball’s best shooters during his season at Duke, quickly dispelling any notion that he was simply a system player. What sets Knueppel apart is his offensive efficiency and elite decision-making. He’s a rare blend of shooter and playmaker, capable of running an offense or spacing the floor. With shooting splits hovering near the 50/40/90 mark, his game is tailor-made for today’s NBA.

His basketball pedigree — coming from a family of hoopers — shows in his feel for the game. Knueppel always seems one step ahead, reading defenses, slipping into open space, and making the right pass. NBA teams value floor spacing, shot creation, and high IQ, and Knueppel checks every one of those boxes. He may not have the jaw-dropping athleticism that some prospects boast, but his craft and reliability have made him one of the safest picks in the draft. Projected anywhere from No. 7 to No. 14, Knueppel’s name will likely be called early — and his green room presence proves front offices see him as an impact contributor from day one.

Then there’s Khaman Maluach — the international wildcard who might just be the most intriguing prospect in the entire draft. Born in South Sudan, Maluach burst onto the global scene through the NBA Academy Africa, and at just 18 years old, he’s already drawing comparisons to some of the league’s most versatile bigs. Standing a towering 7-foot-2 with a wingspan over 7-foot-5, Maluach brings a tantalizing combination of shot-blocking, mobility, and offensive upside. He’s fluid in transition, confident in pick-and-pop situations, and displays a developing touch around the rim.

The green room invitation is a testament to how far Maluach’s game has come in a short time. His participation in FIBA tournaments and the Basketball Without Borders showcases elevated his stock dramatically, particularly due to his ability to protect the paint without fouling, switch onto guards in limited stretches, and run the floor like a wing. The NBA is in constant search of unicorns — big men who can shoot, switch, and protect the rim — and Maluach may be the next in line.

His rise has been so meteoric that some analysts believe he could hear his name in the top ten. While his game is still raw in certain areas — namely passing under pressure and playing through contact — his ceiling is undeniably high. There are shades of Rudy Gobert’s defense with more offensive upside, and that makes him an alluring prospect for rebuilding teams or franchises looking for long-term defensive anchors. The fact that he was invited to the green room despite not playing NCAA basketball speaks volumes about how much NBA teams value his long-term potential.

These three players — Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach — represent three archetypes of the modern NBA prospect. Flagg is the American prodigy — polished, fearless, and the face of a new generation of two-way wings. Knueppel is the cerebral shooter — not flashy, but ruthlessly efficient and poised. And Maluach is the mystery box — an international prospect brimming with upside, a player whose best basketball is still years away.

Their collective green room invitation also speaks to how global and versatile the NBA draft has become. This isn’t just a league for one kind of player anymore. Teams are scouring AAU circuits, college gyms, and FIBA tournaments for the next big thing. Flagg’s journey from Newport, Maine, to Duke. Knueppel’s development in the Midwest. Maluach’s rise from South Sudan through international competition. These paths may be different, but they converge under the bright lights of Barclays Center on draft night.

The green room is symbolic — a velvet rope of sorts, separating those expected to shape the future of the league from the rest. It’s not a guarantee of superstardom, but it’s a strong indication that teams are betting heavily on these young men. The spotlight is now theirs to embrace.

As draft night approaches, all eyes will be on who goes where and when. But for Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach, the bigger story may be just beginning. This is the moment where anticipation meets reality — where dreams transform into contracts, and promise turns into pressure. Each of them will enter the NBA carrying expectations, endorsements, and hope — both from the franchises that select them and the fans that will follow their journeys.

In a draft class filled with talent, it’s these three who have earned the front-row view of it all. And come draft night, when the cameras pan to the green room and the commissioner steps to the podium, it’s a safe bet that Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach won’t have to wait long before hearing their names echoed across the league.