The Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday selected Duke star Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Afrosport reports.
Flagg, at 18 years and 186 days, became the second-youngest player to be selected first in draft history behind LeBron James, who was picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
The Mavericks finished 10th in the Western Conference and had the first pick after winning the draft lottery in May, despite having only a 1.8% chance.
With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft, the @dallasmavs select Cooper Flagg (@Cooper_Flagg)!
2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm LIVE on ABC & ESPN! pic.twitter.com/dBZoPVedj8
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
The 6-foot-9 guard-forward led Duke to the 2024-25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman.
Flagg, who won the Wooden Award as the Most Outstanding College Player of the Year, is the second number one pick in the history of the Mavericks franchise after Mark Aguirre in 1981.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think it’s set in yet. It feels surreal,” the teenager said when asked if his new reality had sunk in. “I’m just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name. And it just went so fast. Like, it feels like a blur. But I just feel really blessed and honoured, just to be here.”
He will wear the No, 32 shirt as announced by the Mavericks and will join Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, two former Duke stars, on Dallas’ roster. He also becomes the fifth number one pick from the Blue Devils since1999, joining Irving, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero and Elton Brand.
“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,” Flagg said. “It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Meanwhile, Flagg’s Duke teammate and South Sudan international Khaman Maluach was selected with the 10th pick by the Houston Rockets but will head to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Kevin Durant deal.
Maluach, who picked a basketball for the first time at the age of 14, became the highest-drafted former NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Africa League player in history.
The 18-year-old, who was raised in Uganda, is the third Duke player to be selected in the top 10 of the 2025 NBA Draft, alongside Flagg and Kon Knueppel, who was picked fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
“The moment made my expectations,” said the 18-year-old. “I didn’t think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out, and I was so happy and everything was just going through my head., my whole journey and my people on the continent, I represent the continent of Africa.”
Elite rim protection coming to the Valley 🏜️@khaman_maluach x @Suns pic.twitter.com/5Mxc5GKLmI
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 26, 2025
The San Antonio Spurs, however, picked Dylan Harper with the second pick, VJ Edgecombe heads to the Sixers with the third and Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz completed the top five.
The complete draft board for the 1st round of the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Which pick is your favorite? 🤔
2nd Round: Thursday, 8pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/n3CcG9cirJ
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft will be held in the same venue on Thursday, with the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting first with the 31st pick.
