The Dallas Mavericks don’t have any extra jaw-dropping information or tips up their sleeve and have chosen Duke freshman Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
This alternative was just about a foregone conclusion after the 12 months Flagg had at Duke, making it a easy determination for whichever group held the primary general choose. However nothing is ever sure within the NBA.
In a 12 months when the Mavericks made one of the surprising trades in NBA historical past — buying and selling away what appeared to be the cornerstone of their franchise, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers — normal supervisor Nico Harrison confronted immense strain to make up for what many thought of a disastrous commerce.
Simply his luck, the Mavericks gained the NBA Draft lottery regardless of having only a 1.8% probability of touchdown the No. 1 choose, and, not like Doncic, they weren’t going to commerce away that coveted asset.
Flagg was one of the anticipated recruits prior to now decade, usually being introduced up compared to fellow Duke star and No. 1 general choose Zion Williamson, one other Duke standout and former No. 1 choose.
Flagg lived as much as the hype — and even surpassed it. In his lone 12 months, he paced Duke in factors per recreation (19.2), rebounds (7.5) and assists (4.2), whereas main them to a 31-3 regular-season document. The Blue Devils made their manner again to the Ultimate 4, the place they finally misplaced to the Houston Cougars.
Following the season, Flagg was awarded the Naismith Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, the Related Press Participant of the 12 months, and the John R. Picket Award. He additionally claimed ACC Participant of the 12 months honors. He grew to become the fourth freshman in NCAA historical past to win NPOY.
Now that Flagg has made it to the NBA, all eyes will probably be on him to be the following famous person, and reinvigorate the franchise that traded Doncic.
He’s in a fantastic place, with the chance to be taught from four-time All-NBA ahead Anthony Davis, and, probably, play alongside one other former Duke star, Kyrie Irving, who is anticipated to return from damage later this season.
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