Mavericks make star Duke forward Cooper Flagg the No. 1 pick of 2025 NBA draft

Brian Mahoney · The Associated Press

· Posted: Jun 25, 2025 8:55 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

Cooper Flagg is headed to the Dallas Mavericks, who whitethorn person recovered their adjacent franchise superstar little than 5 months aft trading 1 away.

The Mavericks took the Duke guardant with the No. 1 prime successful the NBA draught Wednesday night, selecting the 18-year-old from Maine who was the assemblage subordinate of the twelvemonth successful his lone season.

Mavericks fans were furious erstwhile Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers connected Feb. 1, immoderate instantly threatening to extremity their enactment of the team.

But the ones who stuck astir whitethorn rapidly emotion Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds portion starring Duke to the Final Four. The Mavericks rapidly announced that Flagg would deterioration No. 32 successful Dallas.

He joined Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving — who present becomes his teammate — Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero arsenic Duke players drafted No. 1 since 1999, and helium returned the draught to its longtime commencement with a one-and-done assemblage player.

Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 prime and volition effort to travel Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and springiness San Antonio a 3rd consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year.

Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah volition circular retired the top-five picks.