If you’ve been paying attention to high school and college basketball headlines over the past two years, one name has stood above the rest — Cooper Flagg. Now, with the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery officially in the books, the basketball world has even more reason to get excited: the Dallas Mavericks have landed the No. 1 overall pick.
And the consensus is already clear — Cooper Flagg is the guy.
Projected as the top pick for well over a year, Flagg is being hailed as a generational talent. For a controversial Mavericks team who let go of their generational talent in Luka Doncic, Flagg could be a perfect fit for the new Dallas team with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving to make them a strong contender in the West.
MAVS WIN THE NO. 1 PICK IN THE 2025 NBA DRAFT 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2025
COOPER FLAGG, AD & KYRIE 🔜? 🤯🍿 pic.twitter.com/JO8PtAwtkx
The Rise of a Phenom
Cooper Flagg, born December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, is a 6’9″ forward who has taken the basketball world by storm. He first rose to national prominence in 2022 while playing for Montverde Academy, a Florida powerhouse known for producing NBA talent like Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Ben Simmons.
Flagg’s breakout moment came during the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role for Team USA. At just 15, Flagg’s defensive instincts, shot-blocking, and all-around maturity stood out against older competition. From there, the legend only grew.
A Complete Skillset in a Modern Package
What makes Flagg special isn’t just his athleticism or size — it’s his feel for the game. At 6’9” with a reported 7’0″+ wingspan, he combines elite defensive instincts with a polished offensive game that includes:
- Smooth shooting stroke from mid-range and beyond the arc
- Excellent court vision and passing for his position
- Toughness and motor — he plays hard on every possession
- Elite defensive versatility, capable of guarding 1 through 4
He’s not just a scorer or a defender — he’s the kind of two-way impact player that NBA teams dream of building around.
Freshman Season at Duke
Flagg committed to Duke University for the 2024–25 college basketball season, choosing the Blue Devils over other blue-blood programs like UConn and Kansas. In his freshman campaign under head coach Jon Scheyer, Flagg didn’t just meet expectations — he exceeded them.
He averaged:
- 19.2 points
- 7.5 rebounds
- 4.2 assists
- 1.4 blocks
- 1.4 steals
His leadership, defensive presence, and clutch performances in high-stakes ACC matchups and the NCAA tournament solidified his status as the top prospect in his class.
COOPER FLAGG JUST WENT COAST-TO-COAST AND POSTERIZED THE DEFENDER 😱🔥
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2025
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Z5jcZ756ew
Why He’s the Consensus No. 1 Pick
Several factors contribute to Flagg’s top-prospect status:
- Positionless Potential
In the modern NBA, versatility is king. Flagg can slide between forward spots, initiate offense, and anchor a defense. He’s tailor-made for today’s pace-and-space, switch-heavy game. - Pro-Ready Body and Mentality
Scouts rave about his physical development and competitive edge. Flagg already has an NBA-ready frame and plays with a maturity that belies his age. - Defensive Game-Changer
He’s the rare prospect who could anchor a defense as a rookie — think Evan Mobley or Anthony Davis-level impact on that end. - Intangibles
Coaches and teammates describe him as grounded, coachable, and relentless. He lives in the gym and embraces big moments.
The Bottom Line
Cooper Flagg is more than just the best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft — he might be one of the most complete players to enter the league in the past decade. Whether it’s his defense, versatility, or leadership, Flagg checks every box.
And now that he’s likely headed to Dallas, the NBA isn’t just getting its next superstar — it might be witnessing the beginning of a new Western Conference powerhouse.
Stay tuned to TheBasketballJunky.com for full draft coverage, scouting reports, and more as we count down to the 2025 NBA Draft.
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