Star athlete Cooper Flagg, standout from Duke, gets selected first by Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft.
Alright, let's break the news about Cooper Flagg getting selected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks! This young gun, hailing from Duke University, is no stranger to defying expectations. At just 18 years old, he stepped into the spotlight as the second youngest player ever drafted first overall, only trailing the legendary LeBron James.
Flagg was understandably ecstatic upon hearing his name called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, noting, "I feel amazing. It's a dream come true to be honest." Showing his appreciation, he paid homage to his family and the town that nurtured him in Maine.
The Mavericks couldn't be happier about snagging Flagg, with Governor Janet Mills even proclaiming June 25 as "Cooper Flagg Day." Flagg's astronomical success didn't come out of nowhere; as a freshman at Duke, he averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals in 37 games, leading the Blue Devils in all the major statistical categories.
A truly versatile player, he made 48.1% of his field goals, 38.5% of his three-pointers, and hit 84.0% of his free throws. He left Duke with an impressive arsenal of awards, including the ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award, ACC All-First Team, and ACC All-Defensive Team selections, among others.
Flagg's presence on the Mavericks will prove to be a game-changer, as he joins a roster featuring NBA champions like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis. Despite the pressure of building upon the franchise's legacy following the controversial trade of Luka Doncic, Flagg remains unfazed, promising to "be himself all the time, and I'm going to push myself to be better every single day and make the most out of every day."
Welcome to the NBA, Cooper Flagg! Get ready to light up the court in that sweet No. 32 Mavs jersey.
Cooper Flagg's impressive basketball skills have earned him a spot in the illustrious NBA, joining teams like the Dallas Mavericks, where he'll be playing alongside stars such as Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis. As a testament to his prowess, he led Duke University in multiple statistical categories, including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, securing several accolades, such as the ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, and John R. Wooden Award.