In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world, Cooper Flagg, the phenomenal Duke University freshman, has officially declared for the 2025 NBA draft. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Flagg’s career, with experts and fans alike speculating that he’ll be the number one overall pick.
Flagg’s impressive freshman season at Duke has been nothing short of remarkable. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, leading the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance. His outstanding performance earned him numerous prestigious awards, including National Player of the Year, National Freshman of the Year, Julius Erving Award winner, Consensus First Team All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year.
Flagg’s impressive skill set makes him an attractive pick for any NBA team. He is a do-it-all forward who excels in various areas, including motor and toughness, pick-and-roll creation, go-to scoring upside, and offensive malleability. Flagg’s relentless approach and competitive fire make him a valuable asset on the court. He excels in initiating offense as a point forward and making smart decisions as a passer. Flagg has shown improvement as an isolation scorer, thanks to his developing jump shot, and can adapt to various roles on offense, from serving as an on-ball screener to crashing the glass.
Several NBA teams are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to draft Flagg. The Utah Jazz, with a 14% chance of winning the top pick, could pair Flagg with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler to form a formidable frontcourt. Flagg could give the Washington Wizards a much-needed boost, joining a promising frontcourt with Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. Adding Flagg to the New Orleans Pelicans’ core of Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III could make them serious contenders in the West. Flagg could join a battle-tested core with Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins in Miami, potentially leading to instant success.
The NBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for May 12, will determine which team gets to select Flagg. With three teams sharing a 14% chance at winning the top pick, the suspense is palpable. Whichever team selects Flagg will be adding a franchise cornerstone to their roster, setting themselves up for long-term success. As Flagg embarks on this new chapter in his career, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he’ll perform in the NBA. With his incredible talent, work ethic, and adaptability, Cooper Flagg is poised to make a lasting impact on the league.
