The Dallas Mavericks made the expected—and historic—choice on Wednesday night, selecting Duke University star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Dallas vaulted to the top of the draft board despite entering the lottery with just 1.8% odds, setting the stage to land Flagg, who has been widely considered the top prospect in this class ever since he reclassified to graduate high school and enter college a year early.

Flagg, a 6-foot-8, 221-pound forward, turned in a spectacular freshman season at Duke, averaging 19.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game. He led the Blue Devils to a 35–4 record and a trip to the Final Four, while capturing multiple national honors including the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy. The versatile two-way star was a consensus All-American and won over scouts with his elite basketball IQ, defensive instincts, and unselfish play.

“I’m feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” Flagg said after his selection, surrounded by his family. “I wouldn’t want to share it with anybody else.”

Flagg arrives in Dallas during a transitional moment for the franchise. Less than five months ago, the Mavericks made waves across the league by trading five-time All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. He is expected to contribute immediately, joining a talented frontcourt rotation that includes 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin.

Top 5 Picks of the 2025 NBA Draft

Following Flagg, a trio of highly touted guards rounded out the top five selections:

• 2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
• 3. Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, G/F, Baylor
• 4. New Orleans Pelicans – Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
• 5. Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, G/F, Rutgers

Harper and Bailey gave Rutgers a rare distinction—two top-five picks in the same draft—highlighting the school’s rising national profile in men’s basketball. Edgecombe, a dynamic wing from Baylor, adds scoring and athleticism to Philadelphia’s roster, while Knueppel’s all-around skillset gives the Pelicans another versatile piece alongside Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.