In a stunning move during the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Duke standout Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick, marking a significant moment in basketball history and sparking widespread discussion across the sports world. The decision comes on the heels of a controversial draft lottery that raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Cooper Flagg’s meteoric rise in college basketball set the stage for his selection. As a freshman at Duke, Flagg quickly established himself as a dominant force, showcasing a remarkable blend of skill, versatility, and scoring prowess. He was the nation’s top-ranked recruit before committing to Duke in late 2023, and he did not disappoint. Flagg led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and earned unanimous First Team All-America honors—a rare feat for a freshman and the first Duke player to do so since the likes of Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in 2019. Flagg’s accolades from the season include both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year awards, joining elite company only previously shared by Zion Williamson. Among his standout moments was a record-breaking 42-point game against Notre Dame, setting new single-game freshman scoring marks in both Duke and the ACC. His impressive college resume and on-court maturity firmly cemented him as the anticipated top pick for this draft.
However, the path to Flagg’s selection by Dallas was not without controversy. The Mavericks won the draft lottery on May 12 despite having only a 1.8% chance to secure the first overall pick, a result that astonished many given their 39-43 regular-season record, which was far from being a lottery-heavy contender. This unexpected outcome intensified debates around the transparency and predictability of the NBA draft lottery system.
Adding fuel to the fire was Dallas’s recent blockbuster trade in which they sent star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Experts widely viewed this move as undervaluing one of the league’s brightest young stars. With the new first overall pick in hand, Dallas aims to rebuild quickly around Flagg and reshape its future roster.
NBA icon LeBron James weighed in on Flagg’s potential during a recent podcast episode hosted by himself and Steve Nash. James praised Flagg’s multifaceted game, noting his ability to handle the ball, score effectively, and continue refining his jump shot. “I personally think that he wants to be great,” James said, underscoring the high expectations on the young phenom.
Cooper Flagg’s journey from college sensation to NBA’s first overall pick is historic—he becomes the first White American to be selected first since Kent Benson in 1977, highlighting a unique chapter in basketball’s evolving landscape. With the Dallas Mavericks entrusting him as a cornerstone for their franchise, all eyes will be on Flagg as he embarks on his professional career amid one of the most talked-about drafts in recent memory.
As the 2025 NBA season looms, the Mavericks and their new star will face immense pressure to deliver results. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Cooper Flagg can translate his collegiate success onto the hardwood and help Dallas reemerge as a playoff contender.
The 2025 NBA Draft will be remembered not only for the lottery drama but also for Cooper Flagg’s arrival—a reminder that basketball’s future can emerge in captivating and unexpected ways.