On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks made it official when they selected forward Cooper Flagg from Duke University with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“I don’t think it’s set in yet,” Flagg said. “It feels surreal. I’m just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name, and it went so fast. It feels like a blur. But I just feel really blessed and honored just to be here.”
In one season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 37 appearances (all starts) while leading the team to their second NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance in the last 10 years, and with the Mavs, who have Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, Flagg has an opportunity to win now.
The 18-year-old was asked about the possibility of becoming the second first overall pick to win a championship as a rookie in NBA history.
“My mindset has always been to be a winner, so I’m going to try to win as hard as I can everywhere I go,” Flagg said. I’m looking forward to being successful and winning a lot of games, for sure.”
The National College Player of the Year, who will wear number 32 for Dallas, is also excited to learn from fellow Duke Blue Devils, Dereck Lively and Irving.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “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. I feel so blessed to be in the position I am. Just to get down there, be a sponge, learn, and try and grow my game as much as I can.”
The Maine native, who was voted consensus First-Team All-American and National Freshman of the Year, says he loves the support he gets from his home state.
“It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state,” Flagg said. “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. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.”
There was no way anybody thought the Mavs would get the first pick in the draft. It was something that seemed improbable as they had a 1.80% chance of landing the No. 1 pick. Many were down on the franchise after the Luka Doncic trade, but things went their way, and now they have an opportunity to transition from Dirk Nowitzki to Doncic to Flagg.
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