NEW YORK (AP) — Cooper Flagg, hailing from Maine, has officially joined the Dallas Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft held on June 25, 2025. The Mavericks are hopeful that Flagg can become the franchise's next superstar, especially after recently trading away their last one, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1. The decision to trade Doncic sparked outrage among Dallas fans, with many threatening to abandon the team. Yet, those who remained are now enthusiastic about Flagg, who was named the college player of the year after averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four.
The Mavericks quickly announced that Flagg would don the No. 32 jersey in Dallas, joining fellow Duke alumni Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II on the roster. Expressing his excitement, Flagg stated, “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. It's going to be an incredible experience.” Flagg’s selection was widely anticipated, especially after he impressed during the previous summer at the U.S. Olympic team’s training camp, resulting in a celebratory atmosphere in his home state of Maine.
Flagg shared his gratitude for the support he received from fans in Maine, saying, “It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home. It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids.” Flagg joins a prestigious list of Duke players drafted first overall, alongside names like Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero. His draft selection marks a return to the trend of one-and-done college players being chosen as the top pick, as the previous No. 1 picks were international players.
The San Antonio Spurs drafted Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper as the No. 2 pick, with Harper expressing his goal of following in the footsteps of recent NBA Rookie of the Year winners. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Baylor's VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 amid cheers from fans. Subsequently, the Charlotte Hornets picked Duke's Kon Knueppel at No. 4, and the Houston Rockets’ pick, which was later sent to Phoenix, resulted in Khaman Maluach being drafted at No. 10. This accomplishment highlights Duke's significant influence in the draft, with three top-10 picks and a record of 50 first-round selections since 1989.
Other notable selections included Ace Bailey from Utah at No. 5, and Tre Johnson of Texas at No. 6. The New Orleans Pelicans chose Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears at No. 7, while the Brooklyn Nets took BYU's Egor Demin at No. 8. The draft featured several mid-round trades, such as the New Orleans Pelicans acquiring the rights to Maryland forward Derik Queen, and Washington selected Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18, whose rights were traded shortly after. The first night of the two-night draft concluded with a range of selections, and all invited players were chosen in the first round, including UConn's Liam McNeeley at No. 19.
The NBA draft continues at the Barclays Center on Thursday night, with many teams looking to bolster their rosters through subsequent rounds. Overall, the first night showcased a mix of anticipated choices and surprising trades as franchises sought to build competitive teams for the upcoming season.
